Gordon Brown is coming under fresh pressure to reconsider the government’s decision to renew Britain’s £20bn independent nuclear weapons system.
Timetable
Sept 2009: “Initial Gate” decision
The government is due to place a full design contract for a new class of submarines that can launch the Trident D5 missile with nuclear warheads. These will replace four Vanguard class submarines
2014: “Main Gate” decision
With the design work completed, the government is due to give the green light for the new submarines to be built
2022 The new submarines are due to be completed to allow two years of tests
2024 First of the new fleet of submarines is due to be in service to ensure that the UK is able to maintain continuous presence at sea
There are concerns that the programme has not been debated in parliament or the country.
