Global Security Newswire
Daily News on Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Weapons, Terrorism and Related Issues
U.K. to Cut 40 Nuclear Warheads
The United Kingdom intends to cut 40 warheads from its nuclear arsenal as it pursues reductions to military spending, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday (see GSN, May 15).
Also on the chopping block are a significant number of fighter planes, an aircraft carrier and thousands of armed forces personnel, according to Defense Secretary Philip Hammond. The nation is seeking in a four-year period to reduce the $58 billion in annual defense costs by 8 percent.
British nuclear warheads are loaded onto Trident ballistic missiles carried by four Vanguard-class submarines. In its 2010 Strategic Defense and Security Review, London committed to cut the total count of active warheads from 160 to 120 and to cap the full arsenal at 180 weapons (Associated Press/ABC News, June 12).
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Australia Submarine Capabilities
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United Kingdom
This article provides an overview of the United Kingdom’s historical and current policies relating to nuclear, chemical, biological and missile proliferation.
