From the cost to the purpose, here’s all you need to know about Trident, our last line of defence
With parliament voting today on whether we should renew our Trident nuclear deterrent, here's our easy FAQ explaining what the subs are all about
TRIDENT submarines have been patrolling the world's oceans since 1969, but now their future is set to be decided by politicians in a high-profile debate.
With parliament voting today on whether we should renew our Trident nuclear deterrent, here's our easy FAQ explaining what the subs are all about.
What is Trident?
Trident is the name of Britain's nuclear deterrent, which consists of four deep sea craft mounted with eight ballistic missiles each.
At any given time, one of the Vanguard-class submarines is on patrol, with the others either recovering from their last deployment or being prepared for their next stint at sea.
The continuous deterrent would allow British generals to launch a nuclear attack at a moments notice, using the submarines to deliver a deadly nuclear payload to targets across the globe.
How powerful is Trident?
The submarines are able to hit targets from 7,500 miles away, with the subs often undetectable due to their low cruising depth.
And the missiles they launch are fitted with five nuclear warheads, each of which is around eight times as powerful as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
What's the point?
The submarines all carry a letter written by the Prime Minister, containing instructions to be followed as a last resort in the event of an all-out nuclear war.
These craft would be able to fire a retaliation even if the UK was destroyed, which is supposedly enough of a threat to deter any potential attackers.
Why does Trident need to be renewed?
The current fleet of submarines is starting to show its age, having been in operation since 1992.
The craft will need to be phased out by the 2030s, but replacements will take around 17 years to build, which is why we need to decide whether to renew Trident this year.
Why is there opposition to Trident?
Some people believe that Trident is too expensive, and is wasting money which could be spent better elsewhere.
Others believe it is pointless to arm ourselves with nuclear weapons at all, which they claim we would never dream of using - even as a last resort.
How much does Trident cost?
The nation's security system comes at a price, with the submarines set to cost around £20bn to replace.
And with further costs involved in maintaining the subs, the ongoing costs will be far greater - and entirely footed by the taxpayer.
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