Will Scotttish Independence Force Britain Into “Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament”?

Britain Will Lose Nuclear Capability For 20 Years If Scotland Votes For Independence -- The Telegraph

Britain would lose its nuclear deterrent for two decades if Scotland votes for independence because it would no longer have the capability to house Trident submarines.

Scottish independence will force the remainder of the UK to abandon nuclear weapons for at least two decades, according to report by MPs published today.

The Commons Scottish Affairs select committee said it would be possible to move Trident submarines and their missiles from their base on the Clyde within two weeks of separation.

However, the construction of replacement facilities south of the Border could take up to 20 years, they said, effectively forcing the UK Government into “unilateral nuclear disarmament”.

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My Comment: Will this force Britain to give up the Trident submarine .... probably not. They will quickly find some alternative that will be both expensive and hazardous .... but they will find a way. As to the idea of Scottish independence .... like Quebec independence in Canada (where I live) .... it is not going to happen.

Is Britain About To Dismantle It's Nuclear Arsenal?

A Trident submarine leaving its base on the Clyde. The village of Strone is visible in the background. Wikipedia

Trident Submarine Missiles Review To Suggest 'Stepping Down Nuclear Ladder' -- The Guardian

Ousted defence minister Nick Harvey claims military and Whitehall backing for cheaper alternatives.

The government's review of the future of the Trident submarine nuclear missile system is likely to suggest a significant downgrading of the UK's nuclear deterrent, including the possibility of locking the warheads "in a cupboard" for delayed launch only after several weeks of mounting international tension.

The revelation was made by Sir Nick Harvey, the Liberal Democrat who was the defence minister leading the review until the government reshuffle this month. The MP for North Devon said he believed the policy could get support in Whitehall and from senior military figures and Labour.

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Update: Top military chiefs go cold on nuclear deterrent -- The Independent

My Comment: With no money in the budget, there is a very good chance that this British nuclear deterrent will be "mothballed".

Britain's Nuclear Submarine Fleet Facing Major Changes

Le Triomphant: nuclear submarine collided with HMS Vanguard beneath the Atlantic last February

Now The French Want Britain To Share Nuclear Submarines -- The Daily Mail

Britain and France may start sharing their nuclear submarines, it was announced today.

Despite firm denials that a ‘joint’ navy was a practical idea, the chairman of the National Assembly defence committee in Paris said there might be co-operation underwater.

The announcement follows news of the proposal on September 1 that Britain and France would share aircraft carriers as part of a huge cost cutting exercise by David Cameron.

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More News On The Future Of Britain's nuclear Submarine Fleet

French defence official for cooperation with Britain on subs -- Space War/AFP
French Lawmaker Backs Nuclear Force Collaboration With U.K. -- Global Security Newswire
British Officials Mull Reducing Nuclear Submarine Patrols -- Global Security Newswire
Continuous nuclear submarine patrols 'not guaranteed' -- The Telegraph
Year-round nuclear submarines may be axed to cut costs -- The Daily Mail
Trident May Be Scaled Back as Fox Calls for Nuclear Deterrent to Remain -- Bloomberg
Budget Cuts Threaten U.K. Trident Replacement -- World Politics Review
Trident replacement could be delayed as David Cameron looks for savings -- The Guardian

To Save Money, U.K. May Cut It's Nuclear Deterrent

HMS Vanguard launches a Trident II D5 missile. Image from Defpro

U.K. Could Reduce Nuclear Deterrent, Defense Secretary Says -- Global Security Newswire

The United Kingdom would weigh reducing the size of its nuclear-armed submarine fleet in accordance with a government effort to reign in spending, British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said yesterday (see GSN, July 9).

Fox said during an address to a London think tank that any potential defense spending cuts must not result in a less-capable military, the Associated Press reported.

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More News On Britain Cutting It's Nuclear Deterrent

A Trident nuclear submarine could be cut to save costs -- BBC
Big defence projects may be axed but not Trident replacement, says Liam Fox -- The Guardian
Britain could cut Trident fleet -- Press Association
Review into costs of UK Trident -- Defpro
Five-year delay revealed on fourth Trident decision -- Evening Mail
Fears raised about the future of UK’s nuclear deterrent -- Evening Mail
Britain should rethink nuclear weapons policy - poll -- Reuters

My Comment: For the Brits it's now more about the money than national security .... and maintaining a nuclear force is a very expensive proposition.

Britain Discloses That It Has 225 Nuclear Weapons

Britain currently has four Trident submarines. Photo AFP

Britain's Nuclear Arsenal Is 225 Warheads, Reveals William Hague -- The Guardian

Foreign secretary says coalition government aims for a 'more open' weapons and defence policy.

William Hague, the foreign secretary, today announced a review into the circumstances when the government might use nuclear weapons as he disclosed the maximum number of warheads in Britain's arsenal.

Describing what he called a "more open" policy, Hague said Britain's total number of nuclear warheads would not exceed 225, including the maximum 160 already declared as "operationally available".

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More News On Britain's Nuclear Arsenal

UK to be "more open" about nuclear warhead levels -- BBC
‘Honest’ Britain reveals number of nuclear warheads in arsenal -- Times Online
Revealed: Hague says Britain has 225 nuclear warheads -- Daily Mail
UK has 'fewer than 225 nuclear weapons' -- CNN
Britain Reveals Size of Nuclear Stockpile -- Voice of America
Govt reveals nuclear warhead levels -- AFP
U.K. Offers Nuke Numbers -- Global Security Newswire
Britain Discloses Size of Nuclear Stockpile: Who’s Next? -- FAS Strategic Security Blog

Britain To Reduce Nuclear Fleet To Three

A handout photo from the Ministry of Defence shows the HMS Vanguard. Photo AFP

Brown Move To Cut UK Nuclear Subs -- BBC

The prime minister is to tell the United Nations that he is willing to cut the UK's fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three.

Gordon Brown will make the offer at a meeting of the UN Security Council over halting the spread of nuclear weapons and reducing existing stockpiles.

The proposed cuts come as the government searches for ways to reduce the massive deficit in public finances.

However Number 10 said keeping the UK's nuclear deterrent was "non-negotiable".

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More News On The UK Government's Decision To Go Down To 3 Nuclear Subs

Brown to offer to cut nuke sub fleet: Downing Street -- AFP
UK plans to cut Trident fleet in nuclear overture -- Times Online
UK's Brown set to signal nuclear subs reduction -- AP
Brown to review Trident fleet -- Financial Times

My Comment: Everyone knows that the real reason why the sub fleet is being cut from 4 to 3 subs is because of .... NO MONEY.

Nuclear overture .... who are they kidding.

Britain Offers To Cut Nuclear Arsenal

A Trident submarine leaving Faslane naval base in Scotland. (Photo from Greenpeace)

From The Australian:

BRITAIN stood ready to give up part of its nuclear arsenal as part of a multilateral deal involving all weapon-holding states, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

He promised to consider cutting the number of British operational warheads below the present 160 in a move to kick-start the next non-proliferation talks.

Britain will continue with its plans to modernise the Trident submarine fleet, according to officials. In future there will be three submarines, each with four missile tubes, in operation at any one time, with a fourth submarine in dock on standby.

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My Comment: Even one submarine (not three) at sea with a full complement of nuclear missiles will be enough of a threat.