The rise of China and its expansionist agenda has raised eyebrows in the west. The ties between former superpower Britain and the growing superpower China has hit the rock bottom. It worst since the cold war era. Increasing tensions between the western democracies and the Chinese communist regime has pushed Britain to expand its nuclear arsenals by 40 per cent. Britain will grow its nuclear warhead stockpile by more than 40% to ensure its security in a more risky global environment and as it faces new technological threats.
Britain said in a security and defence review it faced risks from nuclear-armed states, emerging nuclear states and state-sponsored nuclear terrorism, and its nuclear deterrent was needed to guarantee its security and that of its allies. The elephant in the room is Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia.
The country had previously been reducing its nuclear weapons stockpile, and in 2010, the government set a cap of 180 warheads for the mid-2020 period. Johnson has scrapped the earlier limit and announced the number would now rise to a maximum of 260.
Britain said in a security and defence review it faced risks from nuclear-armed states, emerging nuclear states and state-sponsored nuclear terrorism, and its nuclear deterrent was needed to guarantee its security and that of its allies.
“Some states are now significantly increasing and diversifying their nuclear arsenals,” the government said in the review. “The increase in global competition challenges to the international order, and the proliferation of potentially disruptive technologies all pose a threat to strategic stability.”
Britain also said it planned to replace its current nuclear warhead with a new one that would be able to operate throughout the lifespan of four new submarines being built and due to enter service in the early 2030s.
It will work with the United States to ensure the new warhead remains Trident-compatible.
The move to increase its nuclear arsenal comes at a time the Downing Street announced Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s upcoming visit to India. The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet the world’s most powerful man Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Downing Street said that this particular visit to India will unlock the opportunities to strengthen the Indo-Pacific alliance. Directly targeting the Chinese communist regime.
Source and inputs from The Mint, The Diplomats
