UK to expand nuclear weapons stockpile as long-awaited Integrated Review made public
Information on the number of operational UK warheads will no longer be made public, in order to ‘complicate’ calculations of potential aggressors.
The UK has moved to expand its nuclear weapon stockpile up to 260 warheads, in a major reversal of a decade-long effort begun by the then coalition government to reduce the nuclear ceiling from 225 to 180 weapons.
Announced on 16 March in the first part of the long-awaited Integrated Review (IR), the reasoning behind the decision spoke of a ‘recognition of an evolving security environment’ and, in particular, the ‘developing range of technological and doctrinal threats'.
The warheads, known to be capable of producing a 100-kiloton explosion, are mounted on Trident II D5 ballistic missiles housed in the current
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![£30 million UK-New Zealand deal sends new uncrewed vehicles to Ukraine]()
£30 million UK-New Zealand deal sends new uncrewed vehicles to Ukraine
Sam Vye, the CEO of SYOS Aerospace, which supplied the vehicles, explained the rapid development and deployment of assets in the uncrewed world.
-
![HII delivers first two Lionfish SUUVs to US Navy]()
HII delivers first two Lionfish SUUVs to US Navy
The SUUVs could be part of a programme that scales to 200 vehicles.
-
![Indian Navy’s next generation OPV fleet advances with keel-laying of third vessel]()
Indian Navy’s next generation OPV fleet advances with keel-laying of third vessel
The ship is the third in a fleet of 11, with the first vessel due to be delivered in 2026.
-
![Fincantieri and TKMS partner for Philippine submarine bid]()
Fincantieri and TKMS partner for Philippine submarine bid
The companies have banded together to promote the Fincantieri U212 NFS offering, and hinted that the collaboration may not be a one-bid phenomenon.
-
![New enhanced FREMM frigate delivered to Italian Navy]()
New enhanced FREMM frigate delivered to Italian Navy
The frigate, Spartaco Schergat, is equipped for a broad range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare.
