Questions for the Debate on the Future of the UK Strategic Deterrent
Dec 2005, Vol. 150, No. 6
By Lee Willett
The UK national strategic deterrent capability is, today, underwritten by four Vanguard-class Sub-Surface Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarines carrying Trident D-5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). In October this year, the lead boat in the class, HMS Vanguard, came out of re-fit to fire an unarmed D-5 missile successfully as the final stage in her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO). Vanguard’s DASO was a routine procedure to confirm her readiness for return to operational status, and to reaffirm the credibility of the current deterrent system. Yet the demonstration underlined the UK’s commitment to strategic deterrence. Moreover, with the Vanguard boats due to begin withdrawing from service at the end of the next decade and given likely lead times on development and production of a new programme, the firing occurred at a time of growing speculation in the media that the Government was poised to make a decision to continue with the strategic nuclear deterrent – indeed, that the decision had already been made. The Government has said that an open and continual debate on the issue will be held in Parliament. The Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, stated recently that ‘in the course of the next four years this decision will take place’, although he has argued that ‘it is too early to say what formal procedures might be used to underpin future decision-making by the Government in this area’. The Government’s position remains a difficult one: if it stays out of the debate it is accused of being secretive and unhelpful; if it enters into the debate it risks accusations of leading the debate in a particular direction. What is required is a balanced, informed debate. The purpose of this article is to synthesize the current status of the debate, set out the key questions that need to be addressed and to provide an ordered framework within which the debate should take place.
Add your comments
By Lee Willett
The UK national strategic deterrent capability is, today, underwritten by four Vanguard-class Sub-Surface Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarines carrying Trident D-5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). In October this year, the lead boat in the class, HMS Vanguard, came out of re-fit to fire an unarmed D-5 missile successfully as the final stage in her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO). Vanguard’s DASO was a routine procedure to confirm her readiness for return to operational status, and to reaffirm the credibility of the current deterrent system. Yet the demonstration underlined the UK’s commitment to strategic deterrence. Moreover, with the Vanguard boats due to begin withdrawing from service at the end of the next decade and given likely lead times on development and production of a new programme, the firing occurred at a time of growing speculation in the media that the Government was poised to make a decision to continue with the strategic nuclear deterrent – indeed, that the decision had already been made. The Government has said that an open and continual debate on the issue will be held in Parliament. The Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, stated recently that ‘in the course of the next four years this decision will take place’, although he has argued that ‘it is too early to say what formal procedures might be used to underpin future decision-making by the Government in this area’. The Government’s position remains a difficult one: if it stays out of the debate it is accused of being secretive and unhelpful; if it enters into the debate it risks accusations of leading the debate in a particular direction. What is required is a balanced, informed debate. The purpose of this article is to synthesize the current status of the debate, set out the key questions that need to be addressed and to provide an ordered framework within which the debate should take place.
You need 4 credits to access this item
If you are a member or registered user, please login
Not already a member and have not yet registered?
Add your comments
Copyright © 2009 RUSI