By CangLanGuanCha
Recently, during the UK Government's Nuclear Week in Parliament, Rolls-Royce showcased a model of the Dreadnought class strategic nuclear submarine in the House of Commons. The Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) are one of the most significant defense projects of the Royal Navy in recent years. The plan involves constructing four submarines to replace the existing Vanguard class submarines (SSBN) on a one-for-one basis.
Due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and intensifying great power competition, the UK has recognized that the international security environment is becoming increasingly complex and unstable, with traditional security threats and emerging challenges intertwining. The UK has reassessed the role of nuclear deterrence, concluding that under the current circumstances, it not only serves as the last line of defense for national security but also remains a key factor in maintaining influence and voice on the international political stage.
Based on this new understanding, the UK has implemented a series of new measures to enhance its nuclear capabilities. In terms of the number of nuclear warheads, the UK announced in 2021, for the first time in years, a cap expansion of its nuclear arsenal. The planned warhead stockpile was expanded from the previously intended reduction to 180 warheads up to 260, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of its nuclear deterrence. Regarding its nuclear submarine fleet, the UK is actively advancing the construction of the Dreadnought class strategic nuclear submarine to replace the existing Vanguard class submarines.
However, despite the steady progress of the Dreadnought class strategic nuclear submarine program, the UK's nuclear deterrence strategy still faces numerous challenges, with significant underlying problems remaining unresolved. Firstly, the UK's existing Trident missiles have experienced multiple test failures, raising concerns about their reliability. Secondly, the UK's nuclear capabilities are heavily reliant on the US. To acquire a powerful sea-based nuclear deterrent, the UK has chosen to import the Trident II-D5LE submarine-launched ballistic missiles from the US and depends on the US for joint maintenance of its nuclear warheads. While this decision allowed the UK to quickly acquire a strong nuclear strike capability in the short term, it could, in the long run, undermine the UK's strategic autonomy.
On the economic front, the development of nuclear capabilities is an extremely costly project that requires significant financial support, which places a heavy burden on the UK's fiscal situation. Additionally, security conditions and the quality of personnel could weaken the reliability of its nuclear deterrence. In 2015, a soldier from the UK's submarine force leaked online that the Vanguard class strategic nuclear submarines had more than 30 security flaws, including inadequate protection of classified information, malfunctioning missile warning systems, and lax security checks. In November 2022, a fire broke out aboard the UK's Vanguard-class nuclear submarine HMS Victorious in the Atlantic Ocean, forcing over 130 sailors on board to urgently extinguish the flames. Numerous incidents have raised concerns about the readiness and operational capabilities of the UK's nuclear submarine fleet.
In the future, the development of the UK's nuclear capabilities will be constrained by multiple factors. Breakthroughs in technological limitations, financial investment, and international public opinion will all impact the progress of the UK's nuclear forces. Amid the ongoing changes in the international security landscape, the UK will need to strike a balance between safeguarding its own security interests and maintaining global security order.
Editor's Note: Originally published on thepaper.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
