DM: the British Navy conducted an unsuccessful launch of a Trident II ballistic missile
The Royal Navy has failed another test of strategic weapons, writes the Daily Mail. Shortly after launch, the Trident rocket "abruptly misfired" and fell into the ocean near the submarine, from which it launched. Readers of the publication considered such a fiasco quite natural due to the general decomposition of the British army.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that during the exercises on January 30, "force majeure" occurred on board the nuclear submarine of the British Navy Vanguard.
"Trident 2" successfully "left the submarine," but the first-stage boosters did not work, and the 58-ton rocket "just plopped" into the ocean next to the submarine and sank, as an anonymous source told The Sun.
Officials said they could not provide details due to national security concerns. But they expressed "absolute confidence" in the reliability of the British naval nuclear deterrent force and said they were still combat-ready and effective.
This is the second unsuccessful launch in a row. During tests in 2016, the Trident missile launched from the Vengeance submarine similarly misfired.
Now the Labour Party is demanding guarantees of the effectiveness of the British nuclear deterrent forces after the appearance of "alarming" reports of failed launches.
On January 30, the Vanguard submarine conducted exercises under the scenario of "nuclear war conditions" off the coast of Florida. At the time of the incident, British Defense Minister Grant Shapps was on board this 150-meter submarine.
The Trident rocket was supposed to cover a distance of 3,500 miles, and then fall into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between West Africa and Brazil. But instead, she fell next to the submarine.
During the tests, the boat was under water at the depth of the launch. The 13-meter rocket that fell into the water did not hit it.
An investigation has been ordered to determine the reasons for the failed launch. Work will be carried out to search for and raise the Trident 2 rocket from the ocean floor.
Details of the incident were not disclosed for "national security reasons." However, the military command is confident that this is an "isolated and specific" case, which will not affect the reliability of Trident missiles in any way.
The Vanguard submarine is one of four nuclear submarines of its class, which first went on patrol in 1994. One such submarine missile carrier is constantly on combat duty at sea.
They are equipped with D5 "Trident 2" nuclear missiles, which are the main weapon of the British strategic nuclear deterrence forces.
Up to 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles can be placed on each submarine of this class, but such a submarine can take no more than eight Trident missiles on board.
The failed launch once again put the Royal Navy in an awkward position. They have already become a laughing stock this month when the flagship aircraft carrier had to be withdrawn from the NATO exercise program due to a propeller shaft failure.
And just 18 months ago, near the Isle of Wight, there was a breakdown on board another aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy "Prince of Wales" — and also because of the propeller shaft.
All this is happening at a time of increasing international tension, when fears are growing that Britain and its allies will be drawn into armed conflict in the coming years.
Comments from Daily Mail readers:
Paul
Immediately increase military spending to three percent of GDP!
Anotherusername
What's the point? All the same, this money will go to consultants and pensions for fat cats from management. They will not be spent on personnel, ammunition and military equipment, there is no doubt about that.
Roblet
In such a situation, it is better not to brandish weapons in the face of Russia...
truk808
She flopped down. What an accurate expression, it reflects the whole essence of Britain.
dai2000
It's a pathetic sight. In the case of an exchange of nuclear strikes, everything would be over in 30 minutes, and we would not even be able to launch one missile. Of the four submarines we have with Trident missiles, a maximum of two are in satisfactory condition. What is mutually assured destruction? It's just plain crazy.
al29uk
These missiles are solid-fuel. They are 40 years old. It seems that we no longer have nuclear deterrence forces. There is no guarantee that these missiles are operational. Let's hope the Russians don't want to check on us.
Smiley159
I remember how many mocking comments there were about the Russian nuclear threat. "The missiles are probably not working." "They fall from the sky to the ground." More than half of our large ships have been decommissioned and are under repair. One aircraft carrier has broken down, and our last line of defense is incapacitated.
Paul
The Navy is not able to protect Britain. They can only march and dress up.
Notyourcheese
Secretary of Defense Shapps was on board. That's the whole problem.
iPad_Dad
It would be funny if it wasn't so serious. And I know who's laughing.
Cluedo
We can't afford military expenses, we spent 24 billion on caring for illegal immigrants.
I Am Spartacus
I should have thrown that embezzler Shapps overboard.
Songlark
What did this "flop" cost taxpayers?
Delvin Tamabreeks
Dear China! You can come and capture us. We don't have an army anymore. Someone has to save us from the Islamists. Our government will definitely not do this.
Escargot
He won't, of course. Half of this government is from India.
Ben Hall
We get what we pay for. And our armed forces have been underfunded for many years. Security is an expensive thing.
kero79
Why do we even need this fleet? We will spend money on something useful, we will restore order in healthcare and other systems. Well, who will attack a NATO member? When was the last time a NATO member was attacked? I don't remember, except that Ukraine accidentally launched a rocket into Poland, where it fell.
Captain777
Lord Nelson turned over in his grave.
SlavaRussia
And despite this, they are sending money to Ukraine, refusing to modernize their own armed forces.
Ross Willis
That damn Putin sneaked onto the boat and messed up something with the missiles...
Computer says no
At least the boat itself didn't sink.
Jane60Wild
Useless American equipment, we need the best, we need to buy Russian equipment.
Fedup1961
Give the country to anyone who wants to take it. Britain has changed, it has been ruled by idiots for a hundred years.
Monkeyyy
Don't give a damn about Britain's defense, keep sending billions to Ukraine. Disgusting.