Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Nuclear Warhead Replacement Project

Monday 24 May 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The current programme for the UK nuclear warhead upgrade to mark 4A is ongoing.
  • No cost estimate is available for the replacement warhead project, which will start in the late 2030s.
  • The budget for the nuclear deterrent includes 31 billion for the Dreadnought submarine fleet.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns about the financial implications of transitioning to a new generation of nuclear weapons. The transition involves substantial costs and resource allocation.

Question

What estimate has been made of the cost of the UK nuclear warhead replacement project? The current programme is ongoing with upgrades to the mark 4A warhead, but there are no specific estimates for the replacement project which will start in the late 2030s. It is too early to provide a detailed financial projection.

Answer from Ben Wallace

Transition to the mark 4A warhead is ongoing, and it will be followed by a replacement warhead project in the late 2030s. However, at this stage, no cost estimate can be provided for the replacement project due to its early preliminary phase.

Not addressed: Cost estimates of the nuclear warhead replacement project

How: It Is Too Early To Provide A Detailed Financial Projection

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Q2 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Defence
Context

A previous statement confirmed that the replacement warhead will be designed, developed and manufactured in the UK. The question aims to clarify if these funds would divert resources from conventional defence projects.

Question

On 15 March, it was stated that the UK replacement warhead for the Trident nuclear missile system will be domestically produced. Will this programme utilise funds that could otherwise support conventional defence initiatives?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Current funding is directed towards transitioning to the mark 4A warhead upgrade, and the replacement warhead programme is scheduled in about two decades. The budget for the nuclear deterrent includes £31 billion for the Dreadnought submarine fleet, agreed upon in 2015.

Partly answered

Not addressed: whether funding for the nuclear warhead replacement will impact conventional defence projects

How: Just Like The Rest Of The Nuclear Deterrent Budget

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