• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

UK lacking skills to develop new nuclear submarines, warn MPs

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Jan 9, IRNA
UK MPs-Nuclear Replacement
A parliamentary committee has expressed 'serious concern' about the shortage of essential skills at the UK's Ministry of Defense (MoD) ahead of government plans to build a new generation of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs).

"It is essential the MoD commits sufficient resources to the program from the beginning," the Defense Select Committee warned in a report on the future of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent.

"The MoD's shortage of systems engineers and project managers -- skills essential at the start of a program of this kind -- is a cause of serious concern," the all-party group of MPs said.

The report comes as the government has launched a debate on the UK's nuclear arms ahead of seeking parliamentary approval for its controversial plans to replace its US Trident submarine-based missile systems by building a new class of SSBNs.

According to Jane's Defense Weekly, the committee warned that the UK's sovereign capability in design, construction, maintenance and decommissioning of nuclear submarines 'is already at the minimum level necessary to sustain a viable inshore submarine industry'.

The UK submarine industry draws on 'a uniquely skilled and specialist workforce', it said, in urging the government to safeguard the specialist expertise and resources.

"The skills base is now at a critical level. Any further erosion of the workforce may have significant implications for the future of the submarine program," their report warned.

Last June, the Defense Committee called on Prime Minister Tony Blair's government to explain the purpose of the country retaining nuclear weapons after questioning their need.

"Before making any decisions on the future of the strategic nuclear deterrent, the MoD should explain its understanding of the purpose and continuing relevance of nuclear deterrence now and over the lifetime of any potential Trident successor," it said.

Their June report concluded that Britain could scale back its nuclear arsenal now that the Cold War is over and also pointed out their view that an extension programme to the existing system would meant a decision on replacement could be deferred until 2014.

2220/345/2322/1412