Nuclear rocket almost fell on a submarine with the Minister of Defense of Britain: what is known
This is the second unsuccessful test of a nuclear rocket in a row after launching in 2016. The Trident II rocket system was launched by HMS Vanguard without the combat part, which was held by the UK Minister of Defense Grant Shepps together with Admiral Sir Ben Kaye. The head of the Ministry of Defense confirmed the case that happened on January 30 off the coast of Florida, but also added that he still considers the British nuclear restraint strategy effective.
More Trident he called a reliable weapon. "She separated from the submarine, but then just burst next to them," journalists refer to her sources. It is reported that if the conditions were combat and not test, the launch of the rocket would be successful. It is reported that on January 30, the team on the atomic submarine performed the task in the framework of the "Judicial Day". The rocket climbed into the air as a result of compressed gas in the starting pipe.
But the first degree accelerators did not work, and a 58-ton rocket with false warheads fell into the ocean and sank. At this time, the HMS Vanguard submarine was underwater at the depth of launch, the rocket did not touch it. After the incident, they began to find out what went wrong. The missile, which contains secret technologies, decided to get out of the bottom near the port of Kanaveral (Florida).
According to journalists, the event raises questions that the Ministry of Defense's representatives were in an inconvenient position, as it is about the nuclear capabilities of the United Kingdom. Trident's rocket is the most powerful weapon that the country has and the last line of defense.
The British Defense Ministry stated that the HMS Vanguard and its crew have completed all the tasks and proved that they could participate in the Trident's operation according to the principle of continuous restraint (Continuous at-Sea Deterrent, that is, at least one submarine is always on patrol).
"The government is absolutely convinced that British nuclear restraint remains effective, reliable and terrifying," said Minister Shepps, adding that the United Kingdom will be able to use nuclear weapons if it is ever needed. So, he said, it will be possible to prevent the most dangerous threats to national security and protect the United Kingdom and NATO allies. The statement also clarifies that not everything went according to the test.
"We go out of national security reasons and cannot inform all the details. However, we are sure that this anomaly is associated with a particular test and does not affect the reliability of Trident's missile systems and their arsenal. British nuclear deterrence remains safe and effective," It is in the statement.
These tests were to become the last, after which HMS Vanguard - one of four British atomic submarines - would be returned to the British nuclear containment fleet after overhaul worth £ 500 million (€ 583 million). The works lasted three years. Earlier in February, the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) released a warning for ships describing the expected Trident II rocket. She had to fly about 6 km and fall into the sea between Brazil and West Africa.
Eight years ago, the British royal fleet had already tested the naked ballistic missile of Trident II D5 on the HMS Vengeance submarine - not flying there after a serious failure in the system. Instead of reaching the goal in the South Atlantic off the coast of West Africa, it flew over the territory of the United States and automatically self -destroyed.