4 ms·
I don't think GB has a first-strike policy or the nuclear arsenal we would need to pursue one. We have on the same order of warheads as the French.
by YawningAngel 5y ago
I don't think GB has a first-strike policy or the nuclear arsenal we would need to pursue one. We have on the same order of warheads as the French.
- willyt 5y agoWe are supposed to have one bomber sub at sea at all times but a Royal Navy submariner once told me that we quite often don't have this due to cuts in maintenance budgets causing the vessels to be out of service quite frequently. Also, bombers carry IRBMs not ICBMs so that one boat needs to be within 5000 miles of whoever might launch nukes at us, so the whole strategy is a bit farcical really.
- corty 5y agoI used the list here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterforce#Counterforce_disarming_first-strike_weapons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterforce#Counterforce_disa... Britain uses Trident SLBMs, so should be capable of such an attack. However, further research reveals similar capabilities of the French M51 SLBM. All in all I wouldn't give too much on that list of stated or probable strategies anyways. An apparent strategy and the stated conviction to stick to it is necessary for deterrence. But I'm not so sure of what will happen if push comes to shove. I guess every nuclear weapons state has a number of war plans fitting the various possible opponents and strategies, and which one is picked strongly depends on the current mood of the ruler when pressing the red button.
- arethuza 5y agoThe wishes of the UK Prime Minister are communicated to the commanders of the UK's Tridents subs on what to do if they lose contact with the UK and civilisation ends (i.e. Radio 4 goes off air) by hand written letters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_of_last_resort https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_of_last_resort