Trident replacement under discussion
According to the Times John Reid has opened up discussions with the Americans on replacing Trident. In keeping with the long history of British governance on this issue he has done so before the Cabinet has had a chance to discuss even whether we need such a thing.Remarkably the report says that it will cost £15bn to £20bn. Allowing for the fact that this is a British government estimate, based on US Defense Department figures, it's probably going to be a factor of two out twice, but even that cost is vastly much more than an aircraft carrier its purchase will almost certainly rule out.
The Prime Minister said, "We are committed to retaining the independent nuclear deterrent". Evidenly he isn't, otherwise his defence secretary wouldn't be having to negotiate the purchase of a system that is totally reliant on the US to maintain.
John Reid also is "said to want to maintain a British submarine-launched system because it is “invisible and invulnerable” to a potential enemy and can be swiftly deployed tactically anywhere in the world. " It would be good if he could give us an example of when the Trident subs have been tactically deployed in their nuclear capacity anywhere in the world. Given the Cabinet probably aren't trusted with that information don't hold your breath.
posted by Matthew @ 7/17/2005 07:22:00 AM
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