Description
Book SynopsisSince 1969, the United Kingdom always has always had one submarine armed with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles underwater, undetected, in constant communication, ready at a set notice to fire at targets anywhere in the world. This is part of its Trident Programme, which includes the development, procurement, and operation of the current generation of British nuclear weapons, as well as the means to deliver them. Operated by the Royal Navy and based at Clyde Naval Base on Scotland's west coast, it is the most expensive and most powerful capability of the British military forces. In 2016, the United Kingdom had to decide on whether to go ahead and build the next generation of nuclear submarines that will allow the UK to remain in the nuclear business well into the second half of this century. The book presents the political, cultural, technical, and strategic aspects of Trident to provide a thoughtful overview of the UK's complex relationship with nuclear weapons. The authors, both scho
Trade ReviewThe public debate about the future of British nuclear weapons has traditionally been rather superficial and based on largely unexamined prejudices on both sides of the argument. This timely and balanced study from a wide range of experts, with differing views, calls for an open-minded and informed discussion of the subject. It is an excellent contribution to one of the most fundamental questions facing Britain today. -- John Baylis, emeritus professor at Swansea University, UK
This book, with its contributions from a wide range of knowledgeable individuals, is an invaluable introduction to the complexity surrounding future UK decisions on its nuclear weaponry. Unfortunately many observers may be inclined to simplify the wide ranging political, military, domestic, global, regional, historical, technical, economic, alliance, strategic and normative issues inherent in debating the current and future UK Trident force by focusing their attention on very few of these perspectives. Yet these are decisions that deserve an in-depth and far reaching examination, given that decision-makers are being asked to make decisions which will influence the future of the UK for decades to come. The analyses in this text offer decision-makers and commentators key tools to grapple with the multiple issues relevant to making these future decisions, and should therefore be required reading for those directly involved in making and criticizing them. -- John Simpson, OBE, professor of International Relations at the University of Southampton
Table of ContentsForeword by Sir Lawrence Freedman Introduction: the Trident debate renewed – Andrew Futter Part I – British nuclear strategy: history and culture 1. 70 years of British nuclear debates: a brief history – Daniel Salisbury 2. The UK nuclear deterrent: a system of systems – David Jarvis 3. UK Trident renewal: antecedents and decision-making – Kristan Stoddart 4. The silence of British nuclear culture – Jon Hogg Part II – Trident renewal: the wider context 5. The heterogeneity of UK military views on nuclear weapons – Henrietta Wilson 6. The Trident renewal decision, the UK and the NPT – Shatabhisha Shetty & Lukasz Kulesa 7. The legality and legitimacy of Trident renewal – William Walker 8. Trident and the special relationship – Heather Williams 9. Dangerous and inhumane: the implications for UK nuclear policy of international strategies to apply humanitarian law and prohibit nuclear weapons - Rebecca Johnson 10. Bairns not bombs: the Scottish anti-nuclear movement and the British nuclear state – Catherine Eschle Part III – Next steps, politics and future challenges 11. Sustaining Trident: nuclear absolutism and nuclear symbolism – Nick Ritchie 12. Next steps in the UK's nuclear warhead programme: what future for the Atomic Weapons Establishment? – Peter Burt 13. The future of political opposition to Trident – Toby Fenwick 14. Future challenges for UK nuclear deterrence – Andrew Futter
