The United Kingdom and the Future of Nuclear Weapons (Weapons of Mass Destruction and Emerging Technologies) - Tapa dura

The 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

Since 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 scholars and practitioners, bring together diverse perspectives on the issue, discussing the importance of UK nuclear history as well as the political, legal, and diplomatic aspects of UK nuclear weapons internationally and domestically. Also addressed are the new technical, military, and strategic challenges to the UK nuclear thinking and strategy."