The official release of any information about the UK’s nuclear deterrent is extremely rare – but the age of the current “continuous at sea deterrence” expose a crucial flaw in Britain’s readiness for global conflict
Keir Starmer visits HM Submarine in Scotland
The Royal Navy has flexed its muscles in a rare showing of it’s submarine fleet – but Vladimir Putin will likely have spotted a crucial weakness in Britain’s nuclear capabilities. Just days ago, Sir Keir secretly joined a crew of submariners as they returned home to their families for the first time in months, making him the first Prime Minister to join a so-called “day zero” since 2013.
HMS Vanguard was kept patrolling at sea for more than 200 days – one of the longest-ever deployments that will likely have put a huge strain on the submariners and the vessel – as issues with maintaining the ageing fleet make it harder to rotate the boats more quickly – is something the Kremlin would have keenly observed.
The official release of any information about the UK’s nuclear deterrent is extremely rare. And the age of the current fleet and increased requirement for repair work raise the risk of failure in the event of a global conflict.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer says Vladimir Putin respects UK nuclear weapons – and deterrent more vital than ever
Any break in the “continuous at sea deterrence” would be a devastating blow, undermining the UK’s ability to deter the most existential of threats. In images and video, the prime minister – dressed in a Royal Navy-style coat – and defence secretary John Healey could be seen stepping onto the topside of HMS Vanguard as it bobbed in the water off the coast of Scotland.
It was the first time an active prime minister has visited a working submarine in over a decade. Following his time aboard the vessel, the Prime Minister said: “This week, I saw first hand the sacrifice our submariners are making every day to keep our country safe, but I know they are only able to do that because of the support of the town of Barrow.
“Each and every person living and working in Barrow is contributing to our nation’s defence, whether that is building our world-class submarine programme, or supporting the workforce here through vital public services or proud family businesses.”
The Government’s drive to boost defence spending comes as the UK and its allies ramp up their efforts to place Ukraine in a strong position for peace talks. It is aiming to establish a peacekeeping force which would police a peace deal in the eastern European country.
However, Moscow has poured cold water on suggestions it could accept a ceasefire if the so-called coalition of the willing was deployed in Ukraine. Other European nations and the EU have committed to rearm and boost their defence spending.
Meanwhile the prime minister and defence secretary are today visiting a BAE Systems manufacturing site in Barrow-in-Furness, a port town in Cumbria, where new a generation of nuclear-armed submarines is being built to replace the Vanguard-class vessels.
He will also “lay the keel” for the new Dreadnought-class submarines, which will replace Vanguard-class that operate Britain’s continuous at sea nuclear deterrent. They are expected to enter service in the 2030s.
In addition, the King has agreed to give the “Royal” title to the Port of Barrow “in recognition of the town’s unique and critical contribution to national security”, the government said.
The King hopes to visit Barrow in the near future to mark the new title. Some £28 million funding, announced by the Government to support technical education across England, will meanwhile train the next generation of Barrow’s shipwrights.