INLAP/World Court Project UK


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decision was taken to reduce to a single platform the basis for doing so was that submarines are invulnerable as they are undetectable while on patrol. If the submarines either had to return to port to arm with warheads or were not routinely on patrol then this would increase their vulnerability. Secondly both of these options would create new risks of crisis escalation should it be necessary for the submarines to sail or arm with warheads in times of rising tension.
You also asked that we clearly state that the deterrent would only be used as "a hedge against a specifically nuclear attack on the United Kingdom". Britain has repeatedly made it clear that we will not use nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear weapon state not in material breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations, unless it attacks us, our Allies or a state to which we have a security commitment, in association or alliance with a nuclear weapon state. Finally I would like to reiterate that the UK is fully committed to the vision of a world free from nuclear weapons but this is a process that will require a number of intermediate steps. The Government is pursuing these with vigour and is doing all that it can to progress the multilateral disarmament agenda. I hope this is helpful.
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