nuclear-news

UK will not shy away from nuclear weapons, John Healey tells Russia

Defence secretary warned the weapons could do ‘untold damage’ as construction began on the successor to Trident

Larisa Brown, Defence Editor |Bruno Waterfield, Brussels, Thursday March 20 2025, The Times

Britain has the power to do “untold damage” to adversaries such as Russia with its nuclear deterrent, the defence secretary has warned, as he marked the build of the next generation of nuclear submarines.

John Healey said he took Vladimir Putin’s threats to use his nuclear arsenal seriously and the UK should not “fight shy” of the fact it has such weapons.

On a visit to a submarine yard, he also said that France could follow the UK’s example and commit its nuclear weapons to defend Nato and protect the security of Europe. At the moment, France will only officially use its weapons to protect itself.

In an interview with The Times, he said: “Our nuclear deterrent is there as a deterrent.
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/britain-nuclear-power-damage-russia-cd8bv0d

March 22, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | UK, weapons and war