MOSCOW, February 23 Trident missile launch failed undermines Britain's position at a time when «the threat of a nuclear exchange with Russia has never been greater,» according to an article by retired British Army Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon published in The Telegraph.
The Sun previously reported that the British Navy, as part of an exercise, conducted an unsuccessful launch of the Trident 2 intercontinental ballistic missile from the nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard; the missile “misfired sharply and fell into the ocean” a few meters from the submarine itself.
According to the author, who titled the article «Britain is increasingly vulnerable — and Putin knows it», the news of the Trident launch failure «causes serious concern» as «the threat of a nuclear exchange with Russia has never been higher.» Any question about the reliability of the Trident system is «deeply troubling,» he complains. repel the Russian invasion of the Baltics with the few tanks we still have,” says de Bretton-Gordon.
In his opinion, “this is why” information about failures in the operation of critical deterrence systems should not be “in the public domain.” However, he expressed disappointment that the people “appointed by the government to speak on its behalf” “have little understanding of this complex topic, bringing more confusion than clarity.”
“This should serve as a wake-up call. Not now.” It’s time to risk our defense potential,” the author said.
After the unsuccessful launch, British Defense Minister Grant Shapps assured parliament of the effectiveness of the country's nuclear deterrent forces, despite the «anomaly» that occurred. The previous launch of Trident 2 from a British submarine in 2016 also ended in failure. The missile was supposed to fly nine thousand kilometers from the coast of Florida to a target southeast of Ascension Island, but deviated dangerously from its course and automatically self-destructed.
Recently, ideas about a direct armed conflict between the alliance and Russia. The Kremlin noted that Moscow does not pose a threat, does not threaten anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests.
Vladimir Putin, in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, explained in detail that Moscow is not going to attack NATO countries. The head of state indicated that Western countries began to understand that a strategic defeat of Russia in the conflict with Ukraine is impossible, so they should think about their next steps, while Moscow is ready for dialogue.
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