Volume i of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments strategic nuclear policy from 1945 to 1964 written with full access to the uk documentary record, this volume examines how british governments after 1945 tried to build and then maintain an independent, nationally controlled. The labour government and the polaris programme, 19641970 ebook written by matthew jones. Application of game theory for nuclear deterrence history. The british parliament is due to vote on whether to renew trident, the uks nuclear deterrent today. He is the author of five books, the last three of which have been on nuclear history. 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. To mark the achievement a series of highprofile public events will be held this year. The nook book ebook of the britains nuclear deterrent force and the u. From the vbomber era to the arrival of polaris, 19451964 2017. Dec 04, 2006 the history of the british nuclear deterrent. Written with full access to the uk documentary recor. Nuclear deterrence doctrine is the main stated reason for proliferation of nuclear. From the vbomber era to the coming of polaris, 194570 government official history series 1 by jones, matthew isbn. For uk poni members travelling from outside of london, a small travel bursary is available.
Uk, and author of, amongst other books, after hiroshima. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent. Britain and the bomb tells one of the great british stories from the cold war the transition of the nuclear deterrent from the royal air force to the royal navy. Military history monthly overall, i would thoroughly recommend the book. That is, each deterrent force must survive a first strike with sufficient capability to effectively destroy the other country in a second strike.
Trident replaced the submarinebased polaris system, in operation from 1968 until 1996. Abm defence, nuclear testing, and the criteria of deterrence, january 1961january 19628. Written with full access to the uk documentary record. This adelphi paper argues that it makes sense to remain a nuclear power in an uncertain and nuclear armed. The strategic context for the deterrent has changed completely with the end of the cold war, but nuclear weapons retain much of their salience. Learn more about the uks independent nuclear deterrent by ministry of defence. May 12, 2017 the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent. Trident is the only nuclear weapon system operated by the uk since the decommissioning of tactical we. May 12, 2017 the volume concludes with labours 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 angloamerican nuclear relationship.
Proponents of nuclear deterrence argue that it remains a recessed feature that continues to impart stability in relations among china, russia and the west. From the vbomber era to the arrival of polaris, 194564 edited by matthew jones, london, uk. The british government has confirmed it is developing a new nuclear warhead for its missile submarines, days after the u. The united kingdom possesses, or has possessed, a variety of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Britain at war magazine listed in military history monthlys round up of the best military history titles for may 2018. Written with full access to the uk documentary record, this volume examines how british governments after 1945 tried to build and then maintain an independent, nationally controlled strategic nuclear. The doctrine of mutual assured destruction mad assumes that a nuclear deterrent force must be credible and survivable. Celebrating 50 years of the uks continuous at sea deterrent. 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.
Nuclear deterrence theory, with its roots in the cold war era, may not account for all eventualities in the 21st century. British politicians have voted on an issue that will have a profound impact on the future of the countrys security. The united kingdom was the third country after the united states and the soviet union to develop and test nuclear weapons, and is one of the five nuclear weapon states under the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons the uk initiated a nuclear weapons programme, codenamed tube alloys, during the second world war. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent amazon uk. The literature of scholarly articles and books on u. The raf strategic nuclear deterrent forces their origins, roles and deployment, 194669, a documentary history by humphrey wynn and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Britain confirms new nuclear warhead project after us. Jan 25, 2019 matthew jones is professor of international history at the london school of economics and political science, uk, and author of, amongst other books, after hiroshima. The history of the uks nuclear weapons programme fact. Gametheoretic analysis allows the author to explore some of the most complex and problematic issues in deterrence theory, including the effects of firststrike advantages, limited retaliation, and the number of nuclear powers in the international system on the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Skybolt, polaris and the control of western nuclear forces, march 1960may 19617. Sam dudin joined rusi in february 2019 as their uk nuclear policy research fellow.
May 03, 2019 added the united kingdoms future nuclear deterrent. New prime minister theresa may has said, we cannot abandon our ultimate safeguard out of. Researchers at chatham house have worked with eight experts to produce this collection of essays examining four contested themes in contemporary policymaking on deterrence. The uk has policies and capabilities to deal with the wide range of threats we currently face or might face in the future. Applying advances in game theory to the study of nuclear deterrence, robert powell examines the foundations of deterrence theory. Nuclear power in the uk a history environment the guardian.
Skybolts cancellation threatened to undo the uks entire nuclear deterrent, and the two countries raced to come up with a solution. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent, vol. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent, vol i. The labour government and the polaris programme, 19641970 were. Aug 17, 2019 an independent scotland would put a question mark over the future of britains nuclear deterrent, especially if there was a push to expel the royal navy from hmnb clyde, where the nations. United kingdoms nuclear deterrent fact sheet 5 the history of the uks nuclear weapons programme start of the uks nuclear weapons programme the united kingdoms nuclear weapons programme had its origins in the second world war. Chancellor gordon brown signals his support for the longterm retention of the independent nuclear deterrent. The united kingdom is one of five countries who have nuclear weapon capabilities and have signed the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. Volume i of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments strategic nuclear policy from 1945 to 1964 written with full access to the uk documentary record, this volume examines how british governments after 1945 tried to build and then maintain an independent, nationally. The usuk mutual defence agreement is signed allowing the two countries to share nuclear weapons technology and materials. The united kingdom was the third country after the united states and the soviet union to develop and test nuclear weapons, and is one of the five nuclearweapon states under the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.
Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Major countries, which pose no threat to the uk today, retain large arsenals some. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. A common justification heard is that they are a deterrent against foreign aggression. The history of the uks nuclear weapons programme fact sheet 5.
Great britains nuclear weapons could easily destroy. Polaris and deterrent policy, february 1959march 19605. The author draws upon insights from the laboratories, the military, popular culture and from politicians to make sense of a complex time and to challenge some widelyheld. Oct 21, 20 a secret report by the governments chief nuclear inspector, mike weightman, shows more than 1,750 leaks, breakdowns or other events at uk nuclear plants over the past seven years. Professor matthew joness newest books, the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent, volume i. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent out now. Britains airborne nuclear deterrent by robert jackson. Volume ii of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments 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. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent. From the vbomber era to the arrival of polaris, 19451964, and volume ii.
Volume ii of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments 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. The uk trident programme was announced in july 1980 and patrols began in december 1994. The history and future of nuclear weapons new york. His portfolio includes leading on uk poni project on nuclear issues, the trilateral nuclear dialogues, deterrence and uk nuclear weapons policy issues. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent by matthew jones, 9780367076108, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Guardian opinion cartoon steve bell on a service marking 50 years of the uks nuclear deterrent. From the vbomber era to the arrival of polaris, 19451964 by matthew jones 3. Volume i of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments strategic nuclear policy from 1945 to 1964 written with full access to the uk documentary record, this volume examines how british governments after 1945 tried to build and then maintain an independent, nationally controlled strategic nuclear. A secret report by the governments chief nuclear inspector, mike weightman, shows more than 1,750 leaks, breakdowns or other events at uk nuclear. The uks defence industry is at the core of the uks nuclear deterrent, with casd supporting over 30,000 jobs in every corner of the country, and making a significant contribution to the uk economy for decades to come. Volume ii of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments 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. 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. History of atomic weapons with manhattan project, orders may be delayed.
At the quebec conference in august 1943, it was merged with the. Written with full access to the uk documentary record, this volume examines how british governments. For fifty years submarines have conducted operation relentless, carrying the uks nuclear deterrent to sea. Books monthly a revealing book and essential reading for those wanting to understand the chilling detail of how britains nuclear deterrent is operated. Perspectives on nuclear deterrence in the 21st century. The history of the british nuclear deterrent telegraph. Britain has a substantial nuclear legacy, having owned nuclear weapons for over half a century.
Buy the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent. The future of the united kingdoms nuclear deterrent. Will independent scotland claim britains nuclear deterrent. They have overwhelmingly voted to renew the trident nuclear weapons system. Therefore, a first strike would be suicidal for the launching country. Mar 31, 2017 buy the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent. United kingdom and weapons of mass destruction wikipedia. The united states, race, and nuclear weapons in asia, 19451965 2010. The united kingdom is one of the five official nuclear weapon states under. This new study of the royal air force nuclear deterrent goes into greater depth than the usual study of the post1945 raf. Written with full access to the uk documentary record, this volume examines how. The uk initiated a nuclear weapons programme, codenamed tube alloys, during the second world war. Select literature on us nuclear weapons policy and nuclear history.
The labour government and the polaris programme, 19641970. All the major political parties support this policy. The british parliament is due to vote on whether to renew trident, the uk s nuclear deterrent today. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Volume ii of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments 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. The official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent by. Uk nuclear deterrence policy consists of 5 main principles. Britains independent nuclear research was carried out with great ingenuity and the three vbombers victor, valiant and vulcan were fine and longserving aircraft, but the author has also recognised the broader implications of this era.
Volume i of the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent provides an authoritative and indepth examination of the british governments strategic nuclear policy from 1945 to 1964. Buy the official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent by matthew jones from waterstones today. The nuclear deterrent is not intended to deter terrorists. Official history of the uk strategic nuclear deterrent. Important study on angloamerican nuclear cooperation and the british. From the vbomber era to the arrival of polaris, 19451964 government official history series 97818674936. Professor matthew jones on the official history of the uk. In 1941, the then prime minister, winston churchill, authorised the development of an atomic bomb following.
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