The British government has confirmed that the test launch of an unarmed Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine last month was unsuccessful. This has raised concerns about the country’s nuclear deterrence capability. This was the second consecutive malfunction of such a launch, occurring nearly eight years after a previous incident. The failed launch was initially reported by a London tabloid, The Sun, rather than the defense ministry. The missile’s boosters failed, causing it to land in the water near the submarine, H.M.S. Vanguard. The defense secretary and the top-ranking officer in the Royal Navy were both present for the test. The defense secretary assured that the failed launch had no implications for the reliability of the wider Trident missile systems and stockpiles, nor for the country’s ability to fire nuclear weapons if necessary. The Navy has faced a series of problems with its fleet in recent months, including issues with its flagship aircraft carriers. Military analysts have expressed concerns about the latest launch, particularly given the age of the submarine and its recent refurbishment. They also criticized the government’s handling of the incident, noting that it had failed to report the failure of the test launch. The last failed launch, in June 2016, became a political issue for the government when news of it leaked out several months later.
2024-02-21 22:32:32
Original from www.nytimes.com