U.K. to spend billions on new missile

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 6

U.K. to spend billions on new missile

NZPA-Reuter London Britain yesterday announced that it will purchase the Trident submarine-based nuclear missile system from the United. States at a cost of $12,000 million, to replace its ageing Polaris strategic deterrent. , . .

The Defence Secretary (Mr Francis Pym), told Parliament that Britain would build four nuclear-powered missilecarrying submarines to come into service in the early 19905.." ; ■'' / Their Trident-1 ■■ intercontinental ballistic ' missiles would be purchased from, the United States, Mr Pym said, although Britain would furnish, the; warheads. The Government would ; keep open ah option to: build a fifth missilelaunchjng submarine, ■ In Washington, the White House made public a letter from; PresidehtfiGarter to the Prime Minister (Mrs Margaret Thatcher)? agreeing, to sell the ’missiles and related equipment.

The sale is subject to approval by Congress but that is expected later this year. By opting for the new Seneration of United States built ballistic missiles Britain is electing to remain in the front rank of nuclear powers, according to defence analysts. At present the British strategic deterrent consists; of four nuclear submarines carrying 64 nuclear-tipped Polaris missiles with a range of 2500 nautical miles.

Mr Pym told; Parliament that once purchased the Trident system would be entirely in British control., Like Polaris, it would be committed to the North Altantic Treaty Organisation. NATO publicly welcomed the deal though privately some .. N.A.T.O. diplomats questioned it. The 'diplomats said that from N.A.T.O.’s point of view,, the money could probably be spent more effectively on improving its conventional forces.

Mr Pym called the decision

an “essential reaffirmation of bur national commitment to security and co-operation with our allies under N.A.T.0.” ■ The. Trident, built by Lockheed, can carry up ,to eight 100-kiloton nuclear warheads each independently targeted with a range of more than 6500 km, nearly twice the Polaris range. The : first Trident went into service in the United States last year. Mrs Thatcher has.issued outspoken warnings about the growth of> Soviet, military power. . : : i : ■?'? She has already announced plans to step up British military spending currently about $24,000 million annually, by 3 per cent a year in real terms at least until 1983. .. ’ 'Mr Pym also said yesterday that Britain did not intend to produce the neutron bomb, which kills people but leaves buildings intact. France announced last month that it was developing the neutron bomb.,-:, \