A nuclear deterrent has never been needed more than in today’s less predictable, more dangerous world, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.
Mr Fallon underlined the case for renewing the UK’s Trident weapons system on a visit to the Faslane naval base on the Clyde, where he received a tour of HMS Vigilant, one of the UK’s four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines.
He said he hoped a parliamentary vote endorsing the Government’s planned renewal programme will take place “shortly”.
Mr Fallon said: “We have not fixed a date yet but we need to do it, certainly this year, because we need to get on and replace these four boats to ensure the nuclear deterrent can still be provided throughout the 2030s, 40s and 50s.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn this week caused upset by suggesting the country could retain its nuclear submarine fleet but deploy them without their warheads.
The defence secretary said on Thursday: “That’s like making imitation rifles – those would be pointless patrols.”
He said: “I’m here today because I want to emphasise that the nuclear deterrent has never been needed more than it is today. The world is less predictable, more dangerous.
“We’ve seen the North Korea nuclear test – now is not the time to start thinking about a world in which we wouldn’t have this basic insurance policy.”
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