Contents

SIPRI Yearbook 2012

SIPRI Yearbook 2012

III. British nuclear forces

Chapter:
7. World nuclear forces
Source:
SIPRI Yearbook 2012
Author(s):
Shannon N. Kile, Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials

The United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent consists exclusively of a sea-based component: Vanguard class Trident nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBNs), Trident II (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and associated warheads, and support infrastructure. The UK possesses an arsenal of about 160 operational nuclear warheads that are available for use by a fleet of four Trident SSBNs (see table 7.4). The UK leases the Trident II (D5) SLBMs from the US Navy under a system of ‘mingled asset ownership’.

Citation (MLA):
Kile, Shannon N., Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials. "7. World nuclear forces." SIPRI Yearbook. SIPRI. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2016. Web. 12 Jun. 2025. <https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-44.xml>.
Citation (APA):
Kile, S., Schell, P., Kristensen, H., Fedchenko, V., Glaser, A., & Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials, Z. (2016). 7. World nuclear forces. In SIPRI, SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 12 Jun. 2025, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-44.xml
Citation (Chicago):
Kile, Shannon N., Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials. "7. World nuclear forces." In SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security, SIPRI. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016). Retrieved 12 Jun. 2025, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-44.xml
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