The United Kingdom could launch a $6 billion program aimed at replacing much of its submarine-based nuclear arsenal, including a batch of new warheads London Guardian reported today (see GSN, July 26).
Declassified documents obtained by the Guardian quote a high-level British defense official describing such a plan at an arms industry meeting.
"The intention is to replace the entire Vanguard-class submarine system. Including the warhead and missile," said David Gould, then head of the British Defense Equipment and Support Organization.
A 2006 government paper states that such a program would cost roughly $6 billion, and antinuclear critics contend it would obligate the United Kingdom to maintain its nuclear weapons for at least 40 years.
"This document destroys any credibility in the government's claim that it has not yet made a decision on new nuclear warheads," said Kate Hudson, chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. "It is a disgrace that the [Defense Ministry] is secretly telling the defense industry one thing, whilst ministers are saying quite the opposite to parliament."
British lawmaker Nick Harvey yesterday demanded that the government disclose its plans for the nuclear arsenal.
"[British Defense Minister] Des Browne needs to urgently explain how the extract from this speech could so clearly contradict stated government policy on a new warhead," he said. "This government promised an open and transparent debate about replacing Trident, but this feels more like the cloak and dagger days of the Cold War."
Harvey also noted concern that undertaking a replacement warhead program could undermine upcoming Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty negotiations.
A British Defense Ministry spokesman said that Gould's "speaking note" does not reflect British nuclear policy.
"(The) decisions on whether and how to refurbish or replace our existing nuclear warhead are likely to be necessary in the next [session of] parliament. No decisions have yet been taken," the spokesman said (Matthew Taylor, London Guardian, July 25).