EXPERT PROPOSES MORE COORDINATION OF U.S., UK NUKE DETERRENT

Better coordination of the nuclear forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, and perhaps even France, could generate cost savings and possibly shrink the number of submarines needed by each country while having little impact on the deterrence postures of the allies, according to a British arms control expert. Paul Ingram, the executive director of the British American Security Information Council, yesterday outlined a proposal that calls for more synchronization of the sea-based nuclear forces of each country, suggesting that the allies could more heavily rely on each other’s nuclear forces. Each country currently has its own submarines on constant patrol. “We all have to make a judgment in today’s environment as to what we need and what we don’t because we have constrained resources,” Ingram said during a speech at the Capitol Hill Club. Ingram’s argument was based on the premise that as a primary ally of the United States, the United Kingdom would never unilaterally use nuclear weapons, nor would the U.S. stand by if UK nuclear forces were wiped out. “There is no possibility of the United Kingdom facing a dire strategic threat alone: not now, not in 10 years time, I would say never,” Ingram said. “The use of nuclear weapons without its allies is actually inconceivable except in any sort of fantastic scenario.”