The most recent test of a Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine has failed for the second time in a row. The test was conducted from HMS Vanguard off the east coast of the United States, and the missile’s booster rockets failed, causing it to land in the sea close to the launch site. Trident missiles carry the UK’s nuclear warheads and are considered the UK’s weapon of last resort.
This failure is embarrassing for both the UK and the US manufacturer of the Trident missile. British tests of Trident missiles are rare due to the high costs involved, with each missile carrying a price tag of around £17 million. The previous test of a UK submarine in 2016 also ended in failure when the missile veered off course.
The Ministry of Defence has admitted an anomaly occurred in the most recent launch but stated that HMS Vanguard and its crew had been “proven fully capable” in their operations and that the test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The statement also emphasized Trident as the “most reliable weapons system in the world,” having completed more than 190 successful tests.
Trident is the name of Britain’s system of nuclear weapons and includes submarines, missiles, and warheads. The previous failure in 2016 and the recent one have raised concerns about the reliability of the Trident missile system and the UK’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.
Historically, Trident missiles have been a subject of debate and controversy in the UK. In the 1980s, the decision to purchase Trident as a replacement for the existing Polaris system was the source of heated political and public discussion. The cost of Trident and the ethics of nuclear deterrence continue to be contentious issues in the UK.
Despite the recent failures, the UK government maintains its commitment to Trident as a crucial component of its national defense strategy. The future of Trident and its role in UK defense policy is likely to remain a topic of significant public interest and debate.