Trident replacement and UK nuclear deterrence requirements in a uncertain future

1 Trident Replacement and UK Nuclear Deterrence Requirements in an Uncertain Future Andrew Futter A decision to replace Trident with a like - for - like system will see the UK remain in the nuclear - weapons business well into the second half of this century, but it is far from clear that reliance on a small retaliatory nuclear capability for deterrence will represent the best approach to a n increasingly complex future nuclear threat landscape . Andrew Futter argues that the requirements of deterrence are perhaps more blurred today than at any point in the nuclear age and this context seems likely to become progressively diverse. A more holistic and long - term view of UK nuclear policy is needed , with more consideration given to how techno - military , strategic and , to a lesser extent , political - normative developments are likely to fundamentally alter if not transform the nature of the future deterrence environment in which the UK will be acting.