Why does Britain need new nuclear weapons?

Question

Do Nukes expire or become less effective...?

Why do we need to spend all the money on new ones ?

Whats wrong with the ones we have got already and why do we need them at all if they are never used ?

The Navy and airforce are used when we fight. Nuclear weapons are not.

Answer 1

Like everything else they have a shelf life, the fact that we have not used them proves the wisdom of having them with countries like Iran now joining the club they will understand we have a mutually assured destruction policy, a policy that kept Russia in Russia during the cold war

Answer 2

they are very important indeterring forign powers from attacking the UK, admittedly this is not a major concern at the moment, its very unlikely the UK would be attacked even if we didn't have any nukes, but the piot is that the future is unpredictable and if a major war started the UK could be seriously disadvantaged without nuclear weapons.
nukes do not expire but age takes and effect on every thing, so they probably could do with some maintanance.
they may have been never used by that is not to say they will be needed in the future and already haveing them may be a huge benefit.

Answer 3

Actually, Nukes do fail. They have a half life - the time it takes for a radioactive substance to decay.

My educated guess is that I think the main concern though is the delivery vehicle. The electronics may not be as reliable. The range of the weapon may not allow Britain to project it's nuclear presence (why would anyone care if they had a range of 500 miles when their enemy may span the globe?)

Different technologies also make nuclear weapons more devastating. They improve reliability and production yields are better. You want to make sure when you make a nuke it explodes. There are also new failsafe electronics.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/new-nukes-replace-old-stockpile/2006/06/29/1151174333981.html

Answer 4

We need the nukes as a deterrant to 'other' countries or 'organisations' that have acquired their own nukes and then pose a threat to the UK and our dependant territories. I dont think they expire, though I might be wrong, after all im not a nuclear technician!.
The need to replace trident im sure is more a delivery problem that a problem with the warhead itself. We need to keep some of the british ship yards going dont we, hence why build shiny new Subs !

Answer 5

Peace through strenght. G.B. was part of the Cold War. Communism, like the extremist today believe in World domination. Freedom through strenght. The answerer that ask why G.B needs a Navy or Air Force knows her English history. It is a deterrent of mutual destruction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Her Majesty and The Royal Band that the day after 9/11 came out at Winsor Castle I believe it is and instead of playing England's National Anthem they played The Star Spangled Banner. I still well up when I think of it. God Bless England our ally and God Save The Queen. Thank you from Americans who appreciate our friendship and comrades in arms against the threat that faces freedom loving countries.

Answer 6

The Radioactive material deteriorates. (creating radiation). This degrades the power and quality of the weapon. (see link)

Our current Trident missiles are showing their age. The radioactive isotopes are degrading, and the missile designs and structures are dated and beginning to show their age.

We need nuclear weapons only to deter our potential enemies from attacking us. I am glad we have them, but hope we never have to use them. If we didn't have nuclear capability, many Nations who don't like us (and there are a few) could see the potential in attacking us. With our severely reduced manpower and funding while fighting on two fronts and also defending our home, an enemy has a chance of beating us. I for one am glad that we are a nuclear power and sleep well at night knowing that there are nuclear weapons defending my Nation.

Answer 7

Since Trident 2/D5 missile was supposed to be operational until 2020 what is the hurry?.
It would of course be unkind to point out that much of the cost will end up in the pockets of the American military/industrial complex. Any replacement missiles would have to be purchased from the U.S.The current estimate for replacement is 25 billion but if you think this is the government that estimated the cost of the London Olympics at about two billion and now we're told they could be 8 to 10 billion. God alone knows what the new deterrent will cost.
Maybe Bliar is thinking of his legacy but who knows what Brown is thinking of to go along with it.

Answer 8

Trident is being updated. Its not a case of replacing old with new, more a case of adding new technology to the existing technology. Anyway, there's no rush, we've got until c2025.

Worry ye not! No matter which party is in power in UK, Con or Lab, both will update Trident. Only the LibDems are talking of 'scrapping' Trident.

Anyone in favour of the above can vote LibDem.

If we get a hung parliament at the next general election in about three years time, the LibDems say they will support Labour. Who knows! The squabbling, if such happens, will be interesting to watch. In the meantime, our enemies, whoever they are, will attack.

Answer 9

Shees, what a question.
Answer. Because the old ones are worn out. Smile. The old ones are forty to fifty years old. Old technology. Missiles cannot sit in silos for 50 years and still be in good operational condition. Yep. That is why.
Hisemiester

Answer 10

WHY DID WE NEED A NAVY AND AN AIRFORCE IN THE LAST WAR, depends whether you like being british