The Future Of The Uk S Strategic Nuclear Deterrent

Author : Andrew Futter
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 246 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2016-06-16
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781442265745

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The United Kingdom and the Future of Nuclear Weapons by Andrew Futter Pdf

Since 1969, the United Kingdom always has always had one submarine armed with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles underwater, undetected, in constant communication, ready at a set notice to fire at targets anywhere in the world. This is part of its Trident Programme, which includes the development, procurement, and operation of the current generation of British nuclear weapons, as well as the means to deliver them. Operated by the Royal Navy and based at Clyde Naval Base on Scotland’s west coast, it is the most expensive and most powerful capability of the British military forces. In 2016, the United Kingdom had to decide on whether to go ahead and build the next generation of nuclear submarines that will allow the UK to remain in the nuclear business well into the second half of this century. The book presents the political, cultural, technical, and strategic aspects of Trident to provide a thoughtful overview of the UK’s complex relationship with nuclear weapons. The authors, both scholars and practitioners, bring together diverse perspectives on the issue, discussing the importance of UK nuclear history as well as the political, legal, and diplomatic aspects of UK nuclear weapons—internationally and domestically. Also addressed are the new technical, military, and strategic challenges to the UK nuclear thinking and strategy.

Author : Great Britain. National Audit Office
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 40 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2008
Category : History
ISBN : 0102954364

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The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability by Great Britain. National Audit Office Pdf

The programme aims to maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the current system, with the introduction into service of the first of a new class of submarines in 2024. The timetable is challenging and the MoD needs to manage key risks if continuous nuclear deterrence is to be maintained. The current two year initial concept phase for the new class of submarines requires a series of important and difficult decisions to be taken by September 2009 to keep the programme on track. The MoD has appointed a Senior Responsible Owner to co-ordinate these decisions. The current predicted cost of procuring the new nuclear deterrent is between �15 billion and �20 billion (2006-7 prices), as outlined in the 2006 White Paper, The future of the UK's nuclear deterrent (Cm. 6994, ISBN 9780101699426). The estimated operating costs once the new class of submarines comes into operation are similar to those of the current deterrent, and the MoD recognises the need by September 2009 to produce robust estimates of whole-life costs. There are major areas of uncertainty in the budget, including the provision for contingency and VAT. The submarine industry is a highly specialised industrial sector with a number of monopoly suppliers and there are real difficulties in providing the right incentives for these suppliers to deliver to time and budget. The tight timetable set for ensuring the seamless transition from the present Vanguard class of submarines to the future class is challenging. A further risk to the programme is a shortage of nuclear-related skills in industry and within MoD - potentially aggravated by competition from civil nuclear projects.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 100 pages
File Size : 55,7 Mb
Release : 2007-03-07
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9780215032812

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The future of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee Pdf

The Government white paper (Cm 6994, ISBN 9780101699426) recommended the renewal of the Trident system, and wanted a decision made in 2007 as delay would imperil the UK's security. This report analyses the white paper's findings and conclusions, and explores the key issues and questions which should be addressed in the debate on the future of the deterrent. The Committee reports some disagreement with the Government's timetable for procurement of new submarines. The reduction in the total number of warheads is welcomed, but as the number deployed on submarines is not to change the Committee is uncertain of the operational significance of this measure. The Committee would also like clarification of the nature and geographical scope of what the Government considers the UK's "vital interests" for which the nuclear deterrent exists. There appears to be no legal consensus that the proposals are consistent with all of the UK's international obligations, in particular the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, so political considerations will govern the renewal decision. Detailed estimates of the costs are vital to inform the debate. The Committee acknowledges the Government's efforts at openness on this matter.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 178 pages
File Size : 40,9 Mb
Release : 2006-12-19
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9780215031785

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The future of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee Pdf

In its White Paper (published in December 2006 as Cm 6994, ISBN 0101699425) on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintain the submarine-based Trident weapons system. This will require the procurement of a new generation of nuclear-powered Trident submarines to replace the current fleet of Vanguard-class submarines. Following on from the Committee's earlier report on the strategic context and timetable for decision-making on the renewal of the UK's nuclear deterrent (HCP 986, session 2005-06; ISBN 0215029445), this report focuses on issues related to the UK manufacturing and skills base. These include: the level of investment needed to sustain essential infrastructure and core skills in the UK submarine construction industry; the potential consequences of a gap in the submarine building programme for the long-term viability of the domestic manufacturing and skills base; the implications of the rationalisation of the UK shipbuilding industry for the construction, maintenance and affordability of a Vanguard-class successor; and the linkage between the Government's Defence Industrial Strategy and the decision on retention, replacement or abolition of the UK's Trident system. It also examines the Government's investment programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the possible impact of a new civil nuclear build programme for the retention of nuclear skills and expertise in the military sector.

Author : Jeremy Stocker
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 101 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2013-05-13
Category : History
ISBN : 9781134974610

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The United Kingdom and Nuclear Deterrence by Jeremy Stocker Pdf

In December 2003 the British government announced that within a few years it would need to take decisions about the future of Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent. Exactly three years later, its plans were revealed in a White Paper. The existing Trident system is to be given a life-extension, which includes building new submarines to carry the missiles, costing £15–20 billion. Britain has a substantial nuclear legacy, having owned nuclear weapons for over half a century. The strategic context for the deterrent has changed completely with the end of the Cold War, but nuclear weapons retain much of their salience. This Adelphi Paper argues that it makes sense to remain a nuclear power in an uncertain and nuclear-armed world. Given that deterrence needs are now less acute, but more complex than in the past, the paper asserts that deterrence also needs to be aligned with non-proliferation policies, which seek to reduce the scale of threats that need to be deterred. Somewhat overlooked in current policy are appropriate measures of defence, which can raise the nuclear threshold and, if required, mitigate the effects of deterrence failure. It concludes that the government's decisions about the future form of the deterrent are very sensible, but cautions that they still need to be integrated into a broader policy that embraces diplomacy, deterrence and defence to counter the risks posed by nuclear proliferation.

Author : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 224 pages
File Size : 42,8 Mb
Release : 2007-03-07
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780215032805

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The future of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee Pdf

future of the UK's strategic nuclear Deterrent : The White Paper, ninth report of session 2006-07, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

Author : Ian Smart
Publisher : London : Royal Institute of International Affairs
Page : 96 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 1977
Category : History
ISBN : UOM:39015003473207

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The Future of the British Nuclear Deterrent by Ian Smart Pdf

Author : Robert H. Paterson
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 214 pages
File Size : 50,7 Mb
Release : 2012-12-06
Category : History
ISBN : 9781136310447

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Britain's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by Robert H. Paterson Pdf

Having served opposite Warsaw Pact forces in the 1950s and on Embassy duty in the 70s in Europe, the author offers a reasoned assessment of Britain's role in the so-called "nuclear club". He asks whether Britain really needs to be a member.

Author : Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons. Defence Committee,Great Britain. Ministry of Defence,Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons
Publisher : Stationery Office/Tso
Page : 5 pages
File Size : 40,9 Mb
Release : 2006-06-01
Category : Law
ISBN : 0215029453

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The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons. Defence Committee,Great Britain. Ministry of Defence,Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons Pdf

The Committee's report on this topic is published separately as 8th report, session 2005-06, HCP 986 (ISBN 0215029445)

Author : Great Britain: Ministry of Defence
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 44 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2006-12-04
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : IND:30000130547734

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The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent by Great Britain: Ministry of Defence Pdf

In this White Paper, the Government reaffirms its commitment to maintain Britain's independent nuclear capability by investing in a new generation of ballistic missile-carrying submarines and extending the life of the Trident D5 missile. However, in order to ensure the deterrent system is the minimum necessary to provide effective deterrence, there will be a further 20 per cent reduction in operationally available warheads. The Government believes this decision balances the interests of national security against its undertaking to work towards multilateral disarmament and to counter nuclear proliferation, and it is fully compatible with Britain's international legal obligations. The White Paper discusses the policy context and sets out the reasons why decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent system are needed now, as well as considering the various options and their costs, and the industrial aspects involved in building the new submarines in the UK.

Author : Matthew Jones
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 569 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2017-05-12
Category : History
ISBN : 9781351755405

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The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by Matthew Jones Pdf

"Volume II of The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent provides an authoritative and in-depth examination of the British government's strategic nuclear policy from 1964 to 1970. Written with full access to the UK documentary record, Volume II examines the controversies that developed over nuclear policy following the arrival in office of a Labour government led by Harold Wilson in October 1964 that openly questioned the independence of the deterrent. Having decided to preserve the Polaris programme, Labour ministers were nevertheless committed not to develop another generation of nuclear weapons beyond those in the pipeline, placing major doubts over the long-term future of the nuclear programme and collaboration with the United States. Defence planners also became increasingly concerned that the deployment of Soviet anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defences around Moscow threatened to undermine the ability of Polaris to fulfil its role as a national strategic nuclear deterrent. During 1967, under heavy pressures to control defence spending, a protracted debate was conducted within Whitehall over the future of Polaris and how to respond to the evolving ABM challenge. The volume concludes with Labour's defeat at the general election of June 1970, by which time the Royal Navy had assumed the nuclear deterrent role from the RAF, and plans had already been formulated for a UK project to improve Polaris which could both ensure its continuing credibility and rejuvenate the Anglo-American nuclear relationship."--Back cover.

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Defence Committee
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 16 pages
File Size : 51,8 Mb
Release : 2006
Category : Political Science
ISBN : UCBK:C097901569

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The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Defence Committee Pdf

Reply to 8th report (HC 986, ISBN 0215029445)

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Defence Committee,Defence Committee Parliament Great Britain House of Commons
Publisher : Stationery Office/Tso
Page : 192 pages
File Size : 47,8 Mb
Release : 2006
Category : Law
ISBN : 0215029445

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The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Defence Committee,Defence Committee Parliament Great Britain House of Commons Pdf

The UKs strategic nuclear deterrent is based on the Trident weapons system, which was introduced into service in 1994 and has a projected life span of up to 30 years. Given the lengthy procurement process involved in large-scale defence equipment projects, the Government has announced that a decision about the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent is likely to be required by the end of the current parliamentary session. In order to inform public debate on this subject, the Committee's report focuses on the strategic context and timetable for decision-making, including the nature of the UK's current deterrent and how it compares to the defence capability of other established nuclear powers; current and future threats; issues of operational independence and potential dependencies on the US; the implications for the UKs international influence and status; and the timetable within which these decisions will have to be taken and implemented. The Committee notes its disappointment at the refusal of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to participate in its inquiry, and calls on the MoD to make a substantive response to the report in order to address openly the issues involved.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 28 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 1982
Category : Atomic weapons
ISBN : UOM:39015001770901

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The Future of the British Nuclear Deterrent by Anonim Pdf

Author : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Public Accounts Committee,Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts
Publisher : The Stationery Office
Page : 40 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2009
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 0215529170

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The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Public Accounts Committee,Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts Pdf

The Committee in this report which, on the basis of evidence from the Ministry of Defence (the Department), examined making important decisions, managing dependence on the United States and managing the programme effectively. The United Kingdom first deployed a submarine-launched nuclear deterrent in 1968. Since then, successive governments have been committed to a policy of continuous at sea deterrence, meaning that at least one nuclear-armed submarine is on patrol at any one time. In its 2006 White Paper, the Government announced its intention to maintain the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent capability and its plans to build a new class of submarines to replace the current Vanguard fleet and to participate in the United States' Trident D5 ballistic missile life extension programme. The Ministry of Defence's ability to sustain its nuclear deterrent capability in the future is dependent on collaboration with the United States. The new class of submarine is likely to remain in service beyond the extended life of the existing Trident D5 missile, which will be renewed in 2042, and must therefore be compatible with any successor missile developed by the United States. The Department has received a series of assurances from the United States that any new missile will be compatible with the United Kingdom's new submarine class. Nevertheless, the concern remains that the Department has no direct control over the development of the new missile. The future deterrent programme is still at the concept phase. The Department has yet to make many decisions about the principal parameters of the submarine design, the type of nuclear reactor, and the design and size of the missile compartment. The Department expects to make these decisions by September 2009.