- Trident missile sinks; test fails
- UK’s nuclear deterrent remains strong
- HMS Vanguard’s trials continue
The Trident missile sank on 30 January after the first-stage boosters failed to activate, propelling the 60-ton missile, adorned with dummy warheads, into the Atlantic Ocean. This incident marks the second consecutive Trident missile failure for the ageing Royal Navy’s nuclear weapons flotilla.
The government has stated that the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent “remains effective, dependable, and formidable” despite a Trident missile falling into the ocean in Florida after misfiring during a recent test.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed in a statement that “an anomaly did occur” on 30 January during a rare operation aboard HMS Vanguard but emphasised that this was “event-specific.”
Mr. Shapps added that there are no implications for our capability to deploy our nuclear arsenal should the need arise.
Trident is the world’s most reliable weapon system, having passed over 190 tests. This is according to his statement.
Mr. Shapps stated that the government had “complete and utter confidence” in the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent and that “no implications for the reliability of the broader Trident missile systems and stockpiles” ensued.
Furthermore, he cautioned, “The United Kingdom’s determination and capability to employ its nuclear weapons, should the need arise, continue to be indisputable.”
The error was attributable to the fact that it was a test launch. If the launch had begun with a working nuclear bomb, one source said it would have succeeded.
Minister’s Submarine Incident Disclosure
The Sun first reported the incident, stating that Mr. Shapps was aboard the submerged submarine at the time.
This incident follows a 2016 test-fire issue in which a missile veered off course. It marks the second consecutive failure of a Trident missile for the Royal Navy’s ageing nuclear weapons fleet.
Four British nuclear-armed submarines exist. As part of the nation’s nuclear deterrent strategy, at least one vessel must always remain at sea to deter nuclear threats from adversaries such as Russia and to ensure preparedness in the event that the United Kingdom or its allies face a nuclear attack.
When a ballistic missile submarine completes scheduled extensive maintenance, a “Demonstration and Shakedown Operation” is conducted, according to Mr. Shapps.
To evaluate the submarine and crew, a series of subsystem and weapon tests are performed. As the final step, an unarmed Trident II D5 missile is launched.
Although details regarding submarine operations are typically not disclosed, Mr. Shapps explained that he made his statement to “acknowledge the level of interest” in what transpired while maintaining national security.
Further investments are being made in the next generation of ballistic submarines. This includes the replacement of warheads on Trident missiles and the extension of their service lives.
“Enhancing and maintaining the deterrent for the future is a task of national importance,” Mr. Shapps said, likening it to “the ultimate security insurance policy.”
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The missile sank on 30 January after the first-stage boosters failed to activate. This propelled the 60-ton missile, adorned with dummy warheads, into the Atlantic Ocean.
A source told The Sun, “It simply fell from the submarine and landed beside them.”
They initiated an urgent search to retrieve the highly sensitive munition.
The recently overhauled HMS Vanguard, valued at £500 million, was undergoing its final series of trials before resuming nuclear patrols.
