impactofthedecisiontorenewtridentondevolvedmatters（8页）.docVIP

Impact of the decision to renew Trident on devolved matters The UK Government’s decision to renew the Trident nuclear weapon system will have a substantial impact in Scotland over the next half century. The Concordat between Scottish Ministers and the Secretary of State for Defence says: “The Secretary of State for Defence undertakes to inform the Scottish Ministers of all relevant draft legislation, executive functions he proposes to exercise, and policy developments in sufficient time for the policy and practical implications for devolved matters to be examined and representations made as appropriate”. The Scottish Government has a duty to consider the impact that this decision will have on devolved matters and to convey its opinion to the Secretary of State for Defence. On 4th December the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Foreign Office published a White Paper on “The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent”. In this the Prime Minister stated “We have therefore decided to maintain our deterrent system beyond the life of the Vanguards with a new generation of ballistic missile-carrying submarines. We will also extend the life of the Trident D5 missile.” If this decision is implemented, then the following will happen - 3 or 4 new nuclear-powered submarines will be built at Barrow. The first will arrive on the Clyde in 2022 for Contractors Sea Trials and will be operational in 2024. The vessels will have a planned life of between 25 and 30 years. The system could remain in operation until around 2060. Initially the submarines will be armed with Trident missiles. Later the UK may purchase the next generation of US ballistic missiles. These new missiles will enter service in the US Navy around 2030. The missiles will carry nuclear warheads. The number of missiles and warheads to be carried has not yet been announced. Currently Trident submarines are each armed with 48 nuclear warheads. The submarines will be based at Faslane. Faciliti