What Next for Trident?

Apr 2005, Vol. 150, No. 2
By Tim Hare

By the end of the next decade, the Royal Navy will be facing difficulty in maintaining the current nuclear deterrent posture. The reason for this is that the submarine platforms (Vanguard class SSBNs) that house the Trident nuclear missile system – the UK’s sole nuclear capability – will start to run out of operational life. The government has already acknowledged that decisions on the long-term future of the UK’s nuclear capability will have to be taken during the next parliament. This article explores some of the key technical and policy issues that are likely to feature in the ensuing public debate.

Further Analysis: Maritime Forces, Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Strategy, Global Security Issues, UK, Europe

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