The Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said on Wednesday that the government has “absolute confidence” in the UK’s nuclear deterrent despite the Trident missile test failing.
Shapps said there was an “anomaly” during the test involving a ballistic missile submarine HMS Vanguard.
The Defence Secretary confirmed that despite the embarrassing failure this has “no implications” should the UK need to launch nuclear weapons.
Shapps said in a written statement to Parliament, “On January 30 2024, HMS Vanguard and her crew conducted their most recent test operation.
“The test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, in which the Government has absolute confidence. The submarine and crew were successfully certified and will rejoin the operational cycle as planned.
“On this occasion, an anomaly did occur, but it was event specific and there are no implications for the reliability of the wider Trident missile systems and stockpiles.
“Nor are there any implications for our ability to fire our nuclear weapons, should the circumstances arise in which we need to do so.
“The Trident missile system remains the most reliable weapons system in the world, having successfully completed more than 190 tests.
“The Government has absolute confidence that the UK’s deterrent remains effective, dependable and formidable.”
Shapps stressed the UK’s commitment to the nuclear deterrent, he said that the UK’s “resolve and capability” to deploy the ballistic missiles “remains beyond doubt,” should there be an event where they are required to be launched.
Vladimir Putin will be laughing so loud the Kremlin will shake after the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine Trident missile misfired and went “plop” into the ocean off the coast of Florida.
However, this is the second time in eight years the Trident missile has failed to launch which comes after the Royal Navy test fired an unarmed II D5 ballistic missile.
Had it been a real nuclear weapon it would have been successful, according to a source.
The Sun newspaper said that the Trident 2 missile propelled successfully from under the water, however the first stage boosters failed to ignite.A source told the newspaper, “It left the submarine but it just went plop, right next to them.”
The Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, despite the failure, the submarine and crew “have been proven fully capable of operating the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent, passing all tests during a recent demonstration and shakedown operation (DASO) – a routine test to confirm that the submarine can return to service following deep maintenance work.”
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