💥EXCL: Govt is set to increase the number of nuclear warheads that Britain can stockpile, Telegraph understands.
Announcement expected in Integrated Review on Tues, in change of direction on non-proliferation. UK has around 180 warheads stockpiled.
More on @Telegraph at 21.30
Announcement expected in Integrated Review on Tues, in change of direction on non-proliferation. UK has around 180 warheads stockpiled.
More on @Telegraph at 21.30
The last strategic defence review in 2015 set out a cap of 180 nuclear weapons by mid-2020s.
BUT... it left wriggle room: "We will continue to keep our nuclear posture under constant review in the light of the intl security environment & the actions of potential adversaries."
BUT... it left wriggle room: "We will continue to keep our nuclear posture under constant review in the light of the intl security environment & the actions of potential adversaries."
The UK cap of 180 nuclear weapons represented a 65% reduction since the height of the Cold War.
For scale, US has around 3,800 warheads in active status and more in reserve, according to estimates.
Fears have been rising in recent years about China growing its nuclear stockpile
For scale, US has around 3,800 warheads in active status and more in reserve, according to estimates.
Fears have been rising in recent years about China growing its nuclear stockpile
Sam Armstrong of @HJS_Org said: "The world is an increasingly dangerous place & this increased nuclear deterrent tells us all we need to know about where the long term threat from China is heading."
Matthew Harries of the Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Programme at @RUSI_org said: “An increase in the UK’s declared nuclear stockpile cap, if confirmed, would be a significant reverse of steady disarmament progress since the end of the Cold War.”
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