The United Kingdom has confirmed that it is developing a replacement UK sovereign nuclear warhead for its Trident missiles. The Ministry of Defence says in the ‘Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper’ that “Replacing the UK’s warhead will ensure the UK’s deterrent remains cutting-edge, safe and effective”.

In the paper released today, they state:

“The UK committed to replacing our sovereign warhead in parliament in February 2021. Using modern and innovative developments in science, engineering, manufacturing and production at AWE, we will ensure the UK maintains an effective deterrent for as long as required.

The Replacement Warhead Programme has been designated the A21/Mk7 (also known as Astraea). It is being delivered in parallel with the US W93/Mk7 warhead and each nation is developing a sovereign design. This will be the first UK warhead developed in an era where we no longer test our weapons underground, upholding our voluntary moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions.

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For those unaware, the Trident II D5 missile is manufactured in the US. It comprises the missiles and supporting systems fitted on the submarine as well as training and shore support equipment.

Under the agreement with the United States, the UK accesses a shared missile pool. Missiles are loaded into our submarines in Kings Bay, Georgia, US. The UK-manufactured warheads are mated to the missiles at HMNB Clyde.

  • DelascasEnglish
    201·
    3 months ago

    WTF?

    Things this castrofuck clown car of a government cannot pay for: junior doctors, nurses, school lunches for hungry children, council homes, roofs for schools, 40 new hospitals, keeping shite out of the rivers . . .

    Things it can pay for: 2 largely broken aircraft carriers (but not enough planes for them) . . and new, home built nuclear weapons.

    I, for one, am so proud our glorious MoD can defend our food banks with British made nuclear weapons! /s

    • Daniel Quinn@lemmy.caEnglish
      7·
      3 months ago

      It’s the tight coupling between the government and arms manufacturers. I used to work at UKTrade and nearly every decision there was rooted in how we can give more money to arms companies.