Recently, Keith Brown of the Scottish National Party, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, pictured right, made statements in the Scottish Parliament about the Trident nuclear deterrent and HMS Prince of Wales.
These statements have raised concerns due to inaccuracies.
In his address, Keith Brown stated:
“The UK is no paragon of virtue—that is before we even mention the possibility of selling off the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, which cost billions to build and would be sold at a discount, or the possible closing down of the Royal Marines because the niche capability that Neil Bibby talked about is not valued by the UK Government.
What is the sound of a nuclear Trident submarine drill? It is a ‘plop’ in the water. Hundreds of billions of pounds have been spent on something that has never been independent, does not even work and could not conceivably be used.”
They have stated their commitment to operating both the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. Reports of potential sales or mothballing are not grounded in official plans from the Ministry of Defence.
The speculation arose primarily from discussions about budget allocations and operational readiness, but there has been no formal or informal move towards selling the carrier.
Trident’s Operational Reliability
The Trident II D-5 missile system has a historical success rate that underscores its reliability. Since its introduction, the Trident II D-5 has recorded 191 successful sea launches out of 196 attempts, resulting in a 2.6% failure rate, making it one of the most reliable strategic missile systems globally.
According to William Alberque, former Director of Strategy, Technology, and Arms Control at IISS, the Trident II D-5’s reliability is evidenced by its 135 consecutive successful tests from 1989 to 2011. The system’s performance has been exemplary, with a US test success rate of 181 out of 184 launches, highlighting a 1.6% failure rate for US sea launches.
The overall performance history of Trident II D-5 supports its reliability.
As Alberque explains, “The Trident II D-5, however, has historically been one of the world’s most reliable strategic missiles and has recorded 191 successful sea-launch tests since 1989. While two failed UK sea launches in a row is dispiriting, and the timing is embarrassing…they do not necessarily indicate a shortcoming in the system.”
A common misconception is that the UK’s Trident system is under US control or requires US approval for use. This is not the case. The UK retains full operational control over the Trident system, which uses stellar sighting guidance and inertial navigation, independent of GPS, ensuring that the US cannot “turn off” its functionality.
The Trident missiles are maintained in a shared pool with the US for cost efficiency, but this does not affect UK control. The UK does not use “permissive action links,” meaning there is no reliance on US codes for missile launch authorization.
The decision to launch lies solely with the UK Prime Minister and is managed through the Royal Navy chain of command. This ensures that the UK has autonomous control over its nuclear deterrent, contrary to claims made in the Scottish Parliament.
In summary, the UK’s Trident system is both reliable and independent. The Royal Navy manages the system’s operations, and the decision to launch lies solely with the UK Prime Minister, not requiring US intervention. These points directly counter the claims made in the Scottish Parliament.
The statements made by Keith Brown in the Scottish Parliament regarding the Trident system and the HMS Prince of Wales contained significant inaccuracies. The Trident II D-5’s track record and the UK’s independent control over its nuclear deterrent are well-documented, contradicting the notion that the system is unreliable or dependent on the US.
Similarly, the Royal Navy’s commitment to operating HMS Prince of Wales contradicts the claim of its potential sale. Accurate information is crucial for informed decision-making and maintaining public trust.
No surprise about SNP misrepresentation of facts. Surprising that Keith Brown did so as he is a former Royal Marine and has a better knowledge of such matters than most.