LONDON: Britain’s Trident nuclear-deterrent system misfired throughout a test final month, sending a missile crashing into the ocean off the Florida coast close to the submarine that launched it, Solar newspaper reported on Wednesday. The ministry of defence confirmed that an “anomaly” had occurred in the course of the check however mentioned Britain’s “nuclear deterrent stays protected, safe and efficient”.
With defence secretary Grant Shapps on board the HMS Vanguard to witness the check, Solar mentioned, the first-stage boosters on the missile – geared up with dummy warheads – didn’t ignite.The outcome marked the second successive check failure of a Trident missile after one was reported to have veered off track in 2016, an embarrassing consequence for a rustic that after boasted the biggest and strongest naval pressure on this planet.
“It left the submarine however it simply went plop, proper subsequent to them,” Solar quoted an unspecified supply as saying.
In an announcement, Shapps mentioned, “There are not any implications for the reliability of the broader Trident missile techniques and stockpiles,” he mentioned. “Nor are there any implications for our capability to fireplace our nuclear weapons, ought to the circumstances come up.” He gave no additional particulars, citing nationwide safety. The government might face questions over the failure at a time of heightened international tensions. Earlier this month, one of many UK‘s two flagship plane carriers, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, needed to be withdrawn from the biggest Nato drill for the reason that Chilly Conflict over a propeller situation.
With defence secretary Grant Shapps on board the HMS Vanguard to witness the check, Solar mentioned, the first-stage boosters on the missile – geared up with dummy warheads – didn’t ignite.The outcome marked the second successive check failure of a Trident missile after one was reported to have veered off track in 2016, an embarrassing consequence for a rustic that after boasted the biggest and strongest naval pressure on this planet.
“It left the submarine however it simply went plop, proper subsequent to them,” Solar quoted an unspecified supply as saying.
In an announcement, Shapps mentioned, “There are not any implications for the reliability of the broader Trident missile techniques and stockpiles,” he mentioned. “Nor are there any implications for our capability to fireplace our nuclear weapons, ought to the circumstances come up.” He gave no additional particulars, citing nationwide safety. The government might face questions over the failure at a time of heightened international tensions. Earlier this month, one of many UK‘s two flagship plane carriers, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, needed to be withdrawn from the biggest Nato drill for the reason that Chilly Conflict over a propeller situation.
