In a setback for the UK’s nuclear capabilities, a test firing of a Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine, HMS Vanguard, has failed for the second time in a row. The incident occurred off the east coast of the United States during the latest test.
According to reports by The Sun, the missile’s booster rockets malfunctioned, causing it to land in the sea near the launch site. Trident missiles, which carry the UK’s nuclear warheads, are considered the nation’s weapon of last resort.
This failure is not only embarrassing for the UK but also for the US manufacturer of the Trident missile. Each missile comes with a hefty price tag of around £17 million, making British tests of Trident missiles relatively rare due to the associated costs.
Both Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and the head of the Navy were present on board HMS Vanguard during the test. The missile was supposed to travel several thousand miles before landing harmlessly in the Atlantic between Brazil and West Africa. However, it dropped into the ocean near its launch location.
The previous test failure occurred in 2016 when a Trident II D5 missile launched from HMS Vengeance veered off course. Despite these setbacks, the Ministry of Defence maintains that the Trident system is the “most reliable weapons system in the world,” having completed over 190 successful tests.
Trident, comprising submarines, missiles, and warheads, remains a crucial component of Britain’s nuclear deterrent strategy.
Key Notes
- Second Test Failure: A Trident missile test conducted by the UK from HMS Vanguard has failed for the second consecutive time. The missile’s booster rockets malfunctioned, causing it to land in the sea near the launch site off the east coast of the United States.
- Embarrassment for UK and US: The failure is a source of embarrassment for both the UK and the US manufacturer of the Trident missile, highlighting concerns over the reliability of the system.
- Rare Tests: Trident missile tests by the UK are infrequent due to their high costs, with each missile carrying a price tag of approximately £17 million.
- High-Level Presence: Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and the head of the Navy were on board HMS Vanguard during the test, underscoring its significance.
- Previous Failure: A similar failure occurred in 2016 when a Trident II D5 missile launched from HMS Vengeance veered off course, raising questions about the system’s reliability.
- Ministry of Defence Statement: While acknowledging the anomaly in the recent launch, the Ministry of Defence asserts the capability of HMS Vanguard and its crew, emphasizing the overall effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
- Trident System: Trident constitutes a vital component of Britain’s nuclear weapons arsenal, encompassing submarines, missiles, and warheads, and serves as the nation’s weapon of last resort.
