The British Nuclear Deterrent

The British Nuclear Deterrent

Author: Peter Malone

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2022-02-16

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 100054950X

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The United Kingdom was the first country to undertake atomic energy research and development for military purposes. In April 1940 the British government commissioned a group of scientists to study the possibilities of manufacturing a ‘uranium bomb’ in wartime. Originally published in 1984, this book traces the development of British nuclear weapons from those early times to the present. It examines the decisions of Atlee and the MacMillan governments in sustaining the nuclear deterrent through the hydrogen bomb and the Polaris programme, and discusses in detail the decision to proceed with Trident. Throughout the narrative is set against the background of British domestic politics and Anglo-American relations. The book demonstrates why for nearly forty years British governments remained committed to an independent nuclear deterrent as the last line of defence should NATO fail.


Book Synopsis The British Nuclear Deterrent by : Peter Malone

Download or read book The British Nuclear Deterrent written by Peter Malone and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2022-02-16 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The United Kingdom was the first country to undertake atomic energy research and development for military purposes. In April 1940 the British government commissioned a group of scientists to study the possibilities of manufacturing a ‘uranium bomb’ in wartime. Originally published in 1984, this book traces the development of British nuclear weapons from those early times to the present. It examines the decisions of Atlee and the MacMillan governments in sustaining the nuclear deterrent through the hydrogen bomb and the Polaris programme, and discusses in detail the decision to proceed with Trident. Throughout the narrative is set against the background of British domestic politics and Anglo-American relations. The book demonstrates why for nearly forty years British governments remained committed to an independent nuclear deterrent as the last line of defence should NATO fail.


The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent

The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent

Author: Matthew Jones

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2017-05-12

Total Pages: 569

ISBN-13: 1351755404

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"Volume II of The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent provides an authoritative and in-depth examination of the British government's strategic nuclear policy from 1964 to 1970. Written with full access to the UK documentary record, Volume II examines the controversies that developed over nuclear policy following the arrival in office of a Labour government led by Harold Wilson in October 1964 that openly questioned the independence of the deterrent. Having decided to preserve the Polaris programme, Labour ministers were nevertheless committed not to develop another generation of nuclear weapons beyond those in the pipeline, placing major doubts over the long-term future of the nuclear programme and collaboration with the United States. Defence planners also became increasingly concerned that the deployment of Soviet anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defences around Moscow threatened to undermine the ability of Polaris to fulfil its role as a national strategic nuclear deterrent. During 1967, under heavy pressures to control defence spending, a protracted debate was conducted within Whitehall over the future of Polaris and how to respond to the evolving ABM challenge. The volume concludes with Labour's defeat at the general election of June 1970, by which time the Royal Navy had assumed the nuclear deterrent role from the RAF, and plans had already been formulated for a UK project to improve Polaris which could both ensure its continuing credibility and rejuvenate the Anglo-American nuclear relationship."--Back cover.


Book Synopsis The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by : Matthew Jones

Download or read book The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent written by Matthew Jones and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2017-05-12 with total page 569 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Volume II of The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent provides an authoritative and in-depth examination of the British government's strategic nuclear policy from 1964 to 1970. Written with full access to the UK documentary record, Volume II examines the controversies that developed over nuclear policy following the arrival in office of a Labour government led by Harold Wilson in October 1964 that openly questioned the independence of the deterrent. Having decided to preserve the Polaris programme, Labour ministers were nevertheless committed not to develop another generation of nuclear weapons beyond those in the pipeline, placing major doubts over the long-term future of the nuclear programme and collaboration with the United States. Defence planners also became increasingly concerned that the deployment of Soviet anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defences around Moscow threatened to undermine the ability of Polaris to fulfil its role as a national strategic nuclear deterrent. During 1967, under heavy pressures to control defence spending, a protracted debate was conducted within Whitehall over the future of Polaris and how to respond to the evolving ABM challenge. The volume concludes with Labour's defeat at the general election of June 1970, by which time the Royal Navy had assumed the nuclear deterrent role from the RAF, and plans had already been formulated for a UK project to improve Polaris which could both ensure its continuing credibility and rejuvenate the Anglo-American nuclear relationship."--Back cover.


Performing Nuclear Weapons

Performing Nuclear Weapons

Author: Paul Beaumont

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-07-23

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 3030675769

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This book investigates the UK’s nuclear weapon policy, focusing in particular on how consecutive governments have managed to maintain the Trident weapon system. The question of why states maintain nuclear weapons typically receives short shrift: its security, of course. The international is a perilous place, and nuclear weapons represent the ultimate self-help device. This book seeks to unsettle this complacency by re-conceptualizing nuclear weapon-armed states as nuclear regimes of truth and refocusing on the processes through which governments produce and maintain country-specific discourses that enable their continued possession of nuclear weapons. Illustrating the value of studying nuclear regimes of truth, the book conducts a discourse analysis of the UK’s nuclear weapons policy between 1980 and 2010. In so doing, it documents the sheer imagination and discursive labour required to sustain the positive value of nuclear weapons within British politics, as well as providing grounds for optimism regarding the value of the recent treaty banning nuclear weapons.


Book Synopsis Performing Nuclear Weapons by : Paul Beaumont

Download or read book Performing Nuclear Weapons written by Paul Beaumont and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-07-23 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book investigates the UK’s nuclear weapon policy, focusing in particular on how consecutive governments have managed to maintain the Trident weapon system. The question of why states maintain nuclear weapons typically receives short shrift: its security, of course. The international is a perilous place, and nuclear weapons represent the ultimate self-help device. This book seeks to unsettle this complacency by re-conceptualizing nuclear weapon-armed states as nuclear regimes of truth and refocusing on the processes through which governments produce and maintain country-specific discourses that enable their continued possession of nuclear weapons. Illustrating the value of studying nuclear regimes of truth, the book conducts a discourse analysis of the UK’s nuclear weapons policy between 1980 and 2010. In so doing, it documents the sheer imagination and discursive labour required to sustain the positive value of nuclear weapons within British politics, as well as providing grounds for optimism regarding the value of the recent treaty banning nuclear weapons.


After the Cataclysm, Postwar Indochina and the Reconstruction of Imperial Ideology

After the Cataclysm, Postwar Indochina and the Reconstruction of Imperial Ideology

Author: Noam Chomsky

Publisher: South End Press

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 9780896081000

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Dissects the aftermath of the war in Southeast Asia, the refugee problem, the Vietnam/Cambodia conflict, and the Pol Pot regime.


Book Synopsis After the Cataclysm, Postwar Indochina and the Reconstruction of Imperial Ideology by : Noam Chomsky

Download or read book After the Cataclysm, Postwar Indochina and the Reconstruction of Imperial Ideology written by Noam Chomsky and published by South End Press. This book was released on 1979 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dissects the aftermath of the war in Southeast Asia, the refugee problem, the Vietnam/Cambodia conflict, and the Pol Pot regime.


Ambiguity and Deterrence

Ambiguity and Deterrence

Author: John Baylis

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 522

ISBN-13: 9780198280125

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This text focuses on the disagreements which existed in British political and military circles over nuclear strategy directly after World War II. Based on recently released documents, it argues that British policy in this important area was much more ambiguous than is commonly supposed.


Book Synopsis Ambiguity and Deterrence by : John Baylis

Download or read book Ambiguity and Deterrence written by John Baylis and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 1995 with total page 522 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This text focuses on the disagreements which existed in British political and military circles over nuclear strategy directly after World War II. Based on recently released documents, it argues that British policy in this important area was much more ambiguous than is commonly supposed.


The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent

The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent

Author: Great Britain: Ministry of Defence

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2006-12-04

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13:

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In this White Paper, the Government reaffirms its commitment to maintain Britain's independent nuclear capability by investing in a new generation of ballistic missile-carrying submarines and extending the life of the Trident D5 missile. However, in order to ensure the deterrent system is the minimum necessary to provide effective deterrence, there will be a further 20 per cent reduction in operationally available warheads. The Government believes this decision balances the interests of national security against its undertaking to work towards multilateral disarmament and to counter nuclear proliferation, and it is fully compatible with Britain's international legal obligations. The White Paper discusses the policy context and sets out the reasons why decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent system are needed now, as well as considering the various options and their costs, and the industrial aspects involved in building the new submarines in the UK.


Book Synopsis The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent by : Great Britain: Ministry of Defence

Download or read book The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent written by Great Britain: Ministry of Defence and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-12-04 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this White Paper, the Government reaffirms its commitment to maintain Britain's independent nuclear capability by investing in a new generation of ballistic missile-carrying submarines and extending the life of the Trident D5 missile. However, in order to ensure the deterrent system is the minimum necessary to provide effective deterrence, there will be a further 20 per cent reduction in operationally available warheads. The Government believes this decision balances the interests of national security against its undertaking to work towards multilateral disarmament and to counter nuclear proliferation, and it is fully compatible with Britain's international legal obligations. The White Paper discusses the policy context and sets out the reasons why decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent system are needed now, as well as considering the various options and their costs, and the industrial aspects involved in building the new submarines in the UK.


The British Nuclear Deterrent After the Cold War

The British Nuclear Deterrent After the Cold War

Author: Nicholas K. J. Witney

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780833016195

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The Trident nuclear-deterrent program is one of the United Kingdom's largest-ever military acquisitions. Planned and initiated during the Cold War, it is now coming to fruition at a time when the most obvious justification for it--the Soviet threat to Western Europe--has disappeared. With the money largely spent or committed, Britain's continuance as a nuclear-weapon state until well into the twenty-first century seems certain. But with what point and purpose? This report examines the history, the underlying issues, the policy options, and the risks related to redefining a rationale for Britain's nuclear-deterrence program. The author reviews the role the United States has played in the development of Britain's nuclear policy and discusses how a new rationale might affect U.S.-U.K. relationships.


Book Synopsis The British Nuclear Deterrent After the Cold War by : Nicholas K. J. Witney

Download or read book The British Nuclear Deterrent After the Cold War written by Nicholas K. J. Witney and published by RAND Corporation. This book was released on 1995 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Trident nuclear-deterrent program is one of the United Kingdom's largest-ever military acquisitions. Planned and initiated during the Cold War, it is now coming to fruition at a time when the most obvious justification for it--the Soviet threat to Western Europe--has disappeared. With the money largely spent or committed, Britain's continuance as a nuclear-weapon state until well into the twenty-first century seems certain. But with what point and purpose? This report examines the history, the underlying issues, the policy options, and the risks related to redefining a rationale for Britain's nuclear-deterrence program. The author reviews the role the United States has played in the development of Britain's nuclear policy and discusses how a new rationale might affect U.S.-U.K. relationships.


Britain's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent

Britain's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent

Author: Robert H. Paterson

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 1136310444

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Having served opposite Warsaw Pact forces in the 1950s and on Embassy duty in the 70s in Europe, the author offers a reasoned assessment of Britain's role in the so-called "nuclear club". He asks whether Britain really needs to be a member.


Book Synopsis Britain's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent by : Robert H. Paterson

Download or read book Britain's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent written by Robert H. Paterson and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Having served opposite Warsaw Pact forces in the 1950s and on Embassy duty in the 70s in Europe, the author offers a reasoned assessment of Britain's role in the so-called "nuclear club". He asks whether Britain really needs to be a member.


British Nuclear Weapons

British Nuclear Weapons

Author: Jeff McMahan

Publisher:

Published: 1981

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis British Nuclear Weapons by : Jeff McMahan

Download or read book British Nuclear Weapons written by Jeff McMahan and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The British Nuclear Weapons Programme, 1952-2002

The British Nuclear Weapons Programme, 1952-2002

Author: Dr Frank Barnaby

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2004-11-23

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1135761965

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The first British nuclear weapon test took place in Australia in October 1952. British nuclear weapons have been a source of controversy ever since. In this book, scientists, doctors, researchers and others assess the military value, political impact, health effects and legality of the programme.


Book Synopsis The British Nuclear Weapons Programme, 1952-2002 by : Dr Frank Barnaby

Download or read book The British Nuclear Weapons Programme, 1952-2002 written by Dr Frank Barnaby and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2004-11-23 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first British nuclear weapon test took place in Australia in October 1952. British nuclear weapons have been a source of controversy ever since. In this book, scientists, doctors, researchers and others assess the military value, political impact, health effects and legality of the programme.