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By stewartb
The latest news of a failed test of the UK’s system to deliver weapons of mass destruction is getting quite a lot of profile in the media. The BBC News website provides coverage – ‘‘Trident missile test fails for second time in a row’ – in which there are some ‘interesting’ statistics, including ones provided by the MoD. They beg some questions. This is a summary of what the statistics quoted by the BBC tell us:
2024 – Trident missile test conducted by the Royal Navy – failed
2016 – date of the PREVIOUS Trident missile test conducted by the RN – failed
2012 – date of the LAST SUCCESSFUL Trident missile test conducted by the RN – no information is given on what if any failed tests by the RN occurred between 2012 and 2016
12 – number of years since last successful Trident missile test by the RN
1994 – date the RN’s Vanguard submarines which carry Trident missiles began patrols
30 – number of years the RN’s Vanguard submarines with Trident missiles have been in service
190 – the number of reportedly successful Trident missile tests according to MoD figures quoted by the BBC
Taking the MoD’s figure at face value, by inference the 190 successful Trident missile tests occurred between 1994 and 2012 i.e. during a period of 18 years. This equates to c.10 missile tests per year, all successful. Of course, there may have been even more tests during that same period which were unsuccessful!
From the BBC article, in the period 2016 to 2024 there have been ONLY TWO tests undertaken by the RN, both of which failed. So the questions seem obvious: (i) why has the missile testing programme apparently been slashed – from at least 10 tests per annum in the period 1994 to 2012 to just two tests since 2016? (ii) WHY REDUCE RATHER THAN INCREASE the number of tests during a period of evident failures?
However, I SUSPECT THE 190 SUCCESSFUL TEST FIGURE IS NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS! IS THE MOD BEING DISINGENUOUS?
- were these 190 successul tests of Trident missiles ones actually undertaken from RN Vanguard class submarines or do they include tests of Trident from its other delivery system, namely the twelve United States Navy Ohio-class submarines?
And if the latter, do US tests provide assurance of the present credibility of the UK’s nuclear deterrent? What follows is from the specialist defence news site, Navy Lookout: ‘A credible deterrent? Trident missile fails during test launch from HMS Vanguard’ (https://www.navylookout.com/a-credible-deterrent-trident-missile-fails-during-test-launch-from-hms-vanguard/ )
It reports on the latest, the second in a row, failure of a UK Trident test: ’Since the RN draws missiles from a common pool shared with the USN, it raises the question of whether a second failure was JUST BAD LUCK OR INDICATES A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH RN PROCEDURES OR THE INTERFACE BETWEEN BOAT AND MISSILE. Due to the incredible sensitivity around Trident technology and SSBNs, this kind of analysis can never be made public. THE LIMITED INFORMATION AVAILABLE SUGGESTS this was a technical, test-related issue and not the fault of the highly professional RN submariners or a problem with the newly refitted HMS Vanguard.’ (my emphasis)
Now if the problem is with ‘RN procedures or the interface between boat and missile’ then successful tests achieved by US submarines is surely of limited significance when it comes to determining the reliability and effectiveness of UK defence. Arguably, the MoD should be giving out statistics for RN Trident tests – how may RN tests, over what period, with what outcomes?
The Navy Lookout article also reports: ‘In June 2016 HMS Vengeance successfully launched a missile but it took off in the opposite direction intended, heading towards the US and range safety staff commanded the missile to self-destruct. THE CAUSE OF THIS HAS NEVER BEEN CONFIRMED BUT HUMAN ERROR SEEMS MORE LIKELY THAN A TECHNICAL PROBLEM.’ Was the ‘human error’ back in 2016 attributable to the same ‘highly professional RN submariners’? Is RN testing not designed to eliminate human error and technical problems?
Is there no journalist prepared to raise the obvious questions begged by the MoD’s figure of 190 successful tests?
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Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Ah but ….. this is why the navy has test firings. This is good practice to see if all is ticketty boo and to rectify any problems.
When the Scottish Government sends OVERDUE AND OVERPRICED FERRIES ON SEA TRIALS, this is because they are incompetent Jocks and cannot trust their NATIONALISED workforce.
Her Dameness the Jaikie of Baillie and NukeEm said that when Labour was in power all tests were successful. It is only since the SNP Government in Scotland came to power that tests have failed. They cannot blame Westminster for this!!!!
Alasdair Macdonald.
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Putin must be shaking in his Russian boots at this news that the World’s Greatest Empire has …oops , World’s former Greatest Empire ( don’t tell Westminster or The Daily Mail ! ) has such Firepower available to its almost non-existent navy .
As long as our Nuclear -armed subs don’t run aground on some big Scottish island (which apparently don’t appear on their charts ??? ) then we will keep those Ruskies in their place and stop them invading countries ( em, apart from Ukraine ! ). After all , we don’t want them acting like The World’s Greatest Empire did in the 19thC.
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From what I’ve gathered the ejection sequence went exactly to plan, it was the missile rocket ignition sequence which failed, pre-programmed in the missile.
I dare say the State of a Secretary for Defence for the UK will have a few shapps words for the the admirals of the fleet of foot and pension, and it will all be blamed on the Russians, whilst James Cook reruns ‘never seen before’ footage of ‘HMS Pinafore’….
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The one time Tory Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was accused of an attempt to ‘cover up’ that an unarmed Trident missile test had veered off course….it was reported that the Defence Secretary , Fallon, has repeatedly refused to confirm details of the missile test that reportedly failed……
The then new prime minister, Theresa May, had come under fire for (also) refusing to answer questions about the test, but it emerged that she was indeed briefed on that failed Trident Missile test. (The missile test in question actually took place when David Cameron was still the prime minister)…same David Cameron now elevated to the HOL and also the new Tory Foreign Secretary….more Tory reward for Tory failure then……..
The reports then led to claims of a “cover-up”, as MPs were not told about the June 2016 (failed) test when they voted on the £40 billion renewal of the Trident system the following month……that’s awkward….but also kinda suspicious and deliberate me thinks…..mind you I also think they, all of the MP’s who voted FOR it to be renewed, would still have voted it through even if they were made aware of this particular Trident missile test failure….
Hmm….does DRoss not (too) often state that the Scottish government should be more transparent and less , what he calls, “secretive”….and he also lists what he promotes as being their, Scottish government’s, many failures via a succession of his excessive and well (over) promoted (by the media) #SNPBAD declarations …..is this yet more Pot Kettle Black from DRoss….I think so……..
Michael Fallon yet another Tory Govt minister who had to resign in disgrace (pre Boris Johnson’s premiership) ….he did not resign via this scandalous failed Trident incident….but instead it was reported that his resignation was “in part due to an allegation of inappropriate and lewd comments towards fellow Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom when they both sat on the Treasury Select Committee” it was also noted in October 2017 that ” Fallon had repeatedly and inappropriately touched the knee (during a dinner in 2002) of journalist (allegedly but more a churnalist on behalf of the right wing who never want to surrender to anything that is seen as good or better ) Julia Heartless-Brewer (as in Brewer of much trouble) ………..
Fallon decided not to stand in 2019….so he at least finally did something good and right then !
NMRN
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Your Attention Please (1962)
The Polar DEW has just warned that
A nuclear rocket strike of
At least one thousand megatons
Has been launched by the enemy
Directly at our major cities.
This announcement will take
Two and a quarter minutes to make,
You therefore have a further
Eight and a quarter minutes
To comply with the shelter
Requirements published in the Civil
Defence Code – section Atomic Attack.
A specially shortened Mass
Will be broadcast at the end
Of this announcement-
Protestant and Jewish services
Will begin simultaneously-
Select your wavelength immediately
According to instructions
In the Defence Code. Do not
Take well-loved pets (including birds)
Into your shelter – they will consume
Fresh air. Leave the old and bed-
ridden, you can do nothing for them.
Remember to press the sealing
Switch when everyone is in
The shelter. Set the radiation
Aerial, turn on the geiger barometer.
Turn off your television now.
Turn off your radio immediately
The Services end. At the same time
Secure explosion plugs in the ears
Of each member of your family. Take
Down your plasma flasks. Give your children
The pills marked one and two
In the C.D. green container, then put
Them to bed. Do not break
The inside airlock seals until
The radiation All Clear shows
(Watch for the cuckoo in your
perspex panel), or your District
Touring Doctor rings your bell.
If before this, your air becomes
Exhausted or if any of your family
Is critically injured, administer
The capsules marked ‘Valley Forge’
(Red pocket in No. 1 Survival Kit)
For painless death. (Catholics
Will have been instructed by their priests
What to do in this eventuality.)
This announcement is ending. Our President
Has already given orders for
Massive retaliation – it will be
Decisive. Some of us may die.
Remember, statistically
It is not likely to be you.
All flags are flying fully dressed
On Government buildings – the sun is shining.
Death is the least we have to fear.
We are all in the hands of God,
Whatever happens happens by His Will.
Now go quickly to your shelters.
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They sure know how to Britishit again!
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180,000 military personnel. 10,000 based in Scotland. No Navy to patrol Scotland’s shore. Trident and redundant weaponry. Scotland has to pay for it. Westminster dumping contaminated nuclear in Scotland and around the world. Misfiring missiles and trying to cover it up.
Westminster spending £13Billion a year, decommissioning nuclear, over ten years. £130Billion. Increasing all the time.
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I see the media (TV news only so far….but the press no doubt will soon join in) are trying to make the Lindsay Hoyle / Labour stitch up in the HOC today as another #SNPBAD moment….
Starmer was at risk of a some Labour MP’s rebelling as in some of his MP’s voting for the SNP motion for a (immediate) ceasefire so Labour tabled an amendment and Lindsay Hoyle broke with convention in making an unprecedented move as Speaker in picking both the (Tory) government and (Labour) oppositions amendments to the SNP’s motion on a day that was supposed to be a day for an SNP opposition day in the HOC ……thus sacrificing any hope of a vote on the SNP motion happening if Labour’s amendment was voted on.
Lindsay Holyle’s (weak) excuse was that Labour would be at threat in their constituencies if they as a party had not all voted for the SNP’s motion.(this he apparently sourced via Labour MP’s who spoke to him on this matter re justification for their amendment being picked today)…truth is he has , in doing what he has done, saved Keir Starmer political skin..…Hoyle is supposedly meant to be neutral but as an ex Labour MP he has shown his true party colours…..and too his consistent opposition to the SNP in the HOC.
Beth Rigby on SKY News said that she thought the SNP were playing politics and only did this motion so that they could go to the doorsteps saying Labour did not vote for their motion for a immediate ceasefire……….well she can duck right off for a start…….so, for her, this is the fault of the SNP then but NOT the Labour party or Lindsay Hoyle engineering what is a blatant stitch up to aid Starmer’s leadership….how very BritNat of her !
She then goes on to state the significant thing here is that lives in Gaza are being lost…well Beth that was the whole ducking POINT of the SNP motion as both the Tories & Labour were dragging their heels in them both supporting Israel over the innocent people being killed in Gaza in that neither of them, Tories or Labour, were demanding an immediate ceasefire via Israel in Gaza….she stated she had never seen such an unedifying moment in the HOC with SNP MP’s and Tory MP’s walking out…..really ?….what about all of the many votes on both Theresa May’s and Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement trying to get through in the HOC…..or Boris Johnson trying to change the rules to save Owen Paterson in his lobbying scandal….or him lying to parliament……etc etc etc….
Same Beth Rigby, who on SKY News , is going to be presented a weekly podcast programme with Tory Peer Ruth Davidson and Labour’s Jess Phillips called…wait for it…’Electoral Dysfunction’……note once more via a Pro UK channel tis a Tory & Labour political stitch up via a supposed ‘UK’ media channel……how many #SNPBAD stories will they cover I wonder….where Beth will be only too happy to join in….
I am ducking raging and will probably self combust if I hear one more ducking person ….media or politician….blame this fiasco today upon the SNP……and I truly hope others in Scotland can see this fiasco today in the HOC for what it truly is…and who is to really blame……………#RagingForScotlandYetAgain
NMRN
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This is the same Labour Party whose leader: ‘Sir Keir Starmer has made a direct appeal to lapsed voters who now back the SNP to help his incoming Labour government make Scotland “THE BEATING HEART OF BRITAIN” once again.’ (The Herald 18 Feb: my emphasis)
Really? On the evidence of today, Labour will go to any length to sustain the ‘Bain Principle’ – viz. that Labour opposes anything proposed by the SNP, regardless of the merits of the thing in question. Is Sky’s Beth Rigby unaware?
No matter how many SNP MPs there may be in Westminster when Labour is in government – no matter how much of Scotland’s beating heart SNP MPs represent – the influence of SNP MPs will be no different from their influence under a Tory government UNLESS there is a hung parliament. After the next GE, a Labour government in Westminster will engage with SNP MPs in ways that BEST SUIT the electoral prospects of Labour at the next Holyrood election – Bain Principle on steroids?
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Stewart, Femi did a video on it…and his conclusion was that Labour did this because they did not want to look bad…..in not voting for the SNP Motion…..as he noted the speaker was supposed to allow an opposition day motion from the SNP…..he said it was their, SNP, idea to call for the ceasefire….and put that before parliament for them, Parliament, to vote on it…..BUT…Labour put forward an amendment and the way the Speaker did it…he , the Speaker, made it so that if that (Labour’s) amendment passed….then via the SNP version nobody would be able to vote on it….Femi also said as to his, Hoyle’s reasoning Femi says Labour put pressure on him…indeed Femi said that basically Keir Starmer put pressure on him (Hoyle)…to avoid a situation where the SNP version got voted on….where the SNP wanted a proper ceasefire…no ifs no buts….but the Labour version was much more Yeah but as long as the hostages come that sort of thing….so Femi said Labour did not want to come up against voting for a ceasefire…..because it would make them look bad (I say tis also them playing politics)…..thus Femi concluded them (Labour MP’s) not being allowed to vote for a proper ceasefire (SNP’s version)….was all because they (Labour) did not want to look bad (as in they were playing politics)……he, Femi, then highlights that we are talking about whether or not 30,000 people or 2 million people are safe and allowed to go about their lives without being blown up !…and Labour and the Speaker decided not to give us a chance to say….let’s stop the Killing….no ifs no buts….because they don’t want to look bad (as in playing politics)……I think Femi knows what went down today and who the real culprits are….i.e. NOT the SNP.
At last some real honesty on the fiasco and controversy generated by Starmer, the Labour party & the ex Labour MP and now Speaker Lindsay Hoyle….and where the SNP are the innocent party in all of this but no doubt many in the media and political opposition parties will seek to taint them and make them , yet again, the Villains within the UK political system (farce) via more #SNPBAD…..
Thanks Femi…..at least you kept Pro UK politics out of your observation on what happened today……
NMRN
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Could I also add to my previous comment…does Beth Rigby also think that Labour in Scotland are also ‘playing politics’ so that they can go to doorsteps and say that they , at their conference, voted for an immediate ceasefire thus concurring with the SNP’s motion….or does Beth just focus on UK politics and thus chooses not to note anything that happens in Scotland to include political branch office activities …….or is she just another #SNPBAD UK journalist that bats for the (non ) Union…..and rallies against Scottish independence and the SNP……
SKY News are now saying how unedifying this all is what with lives being lost in Gaza….while previously in the last few days at SKY News they, like other channels, have all been blabbing about what will happen today with Labour in this vote…..also known as them being hypocritical now…as now for them tis only about the fact that ‘lives matter’ and thus that is the only and main focus…..I guess they get to change the rules when it suits them…do they not.
My rage and frustration would not be so heightened if only a majority of people in Scotland could finally see (and more may now do so) just how badly, those MP’s we elect in Scotland to represent us at WM, are then treated with disdain and disrespect in their Pro UK English parliament and too via their Pro UK English dominant media….where apparently tis only the SNP ‘who are ‘Playing politics’ while other political parties are supposedly behaving in an admirable and fair way towards those in opposition to them……which is obviously Sh*te……as we do have the evidence to contradict that wrong assumption !
NMRN
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the trouble is, some “Scots” will be delighted to see ‘one being put over the SNP’.
they really haven’t got a decking clue …
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Starmer is now the most dangerous and corrupt politician in this Ununited Kingdom….even worse than the bloody Tories, and that is a difficult thing to be. Under his dictatorship Scotland will be no more, we will merely be northern britain the dumping ground. This despot in waiting has no morals or scruples, no guilt and only his standards (what ever they are). Starmers control of all media is nearly complete, much like Hitler did. Vote for this f***** at your peril, we may get rid of the stinking rat Tory bastards but look what’s coming in to replace them, not like for like……….much worse!!! Watch out Scotland!!! vote for The SNP, Scotlands largest party, and let’s get the hell away from this Westminster sewer!!! Scottish Independence is THE only way to escape!!!
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Just for clarity on the nature of the ‘amendment’ from Labour (and the one from Government before it was pulled) to the SNP motion on Gaza. The text of the SNP motion began thus: ‘‘That this House calls …. ‘ followed by the substantive text.
The Labour ‘amendment’ was stated thus: ‘‘Leave out from “House” to end and add:’ …. followed by a wholly new, different text. It was – and was enabled by the Speaker to be – a replacement motion, and became the ONLY text available to MPs to vote upon this evening.
And whilst the Speaker talked about giving the House the widest of options upon which to vote, I understand the Lib Dems submitted an amendment which he did not allow to be tabled.
The SNP motion makes reference to the ‘collective punishment of the Palestinian people’. The motion passed at Labour’s branch conference in Glasgow recently had this – that conference ‘agrees there is no justification for the collective punishment of 2.2 million citizens in Gaza.’
The Labour replacement motion tabled on what turned into a Labour Opposition Day in the Commons HAD NO SUCH CONDEMNATION OF ‘COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT’.
How will BBC Scotland, STV, the Record et al frame this in their reporting? I’ve already seen UK BBC TV coverage that facilitates the Labour Party seeking to occupy the moral high ground and implying that everyone but Labour this evening were playing politics.
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Anas Sarwar has released a statement on today’s events in the HOC…or rather he is ‘spinning for Labour HQ’
In his statement he (is playing politics) by stating “the ‘disgraceful’ behaviour of both the SNP and Conservatives has somehow prevented unity in the house”….I would laugh but prefer to instead treat his rushed out party political statement with the contempt it truly deserves…..meanwhile we are all then supposed to assume that Starmer, the Labour party and Hoyle all behaved with dignity and thus basically this is yet just another #SNPBAD moment…… as in Anas ‘branch office manager’ Sarwar is blatantly playing politics to try and minimise the damage and fallout for HIS HQ party who instigated the fiasco that occurred today in the HOC….all due to THEIR actions and also their willing lapdog Hoyle….no ifs, ands or buts…..
There is clutching at straws then there is the Labour branch office manager going into protection mode for sneaky Starmer and Labour HQ who all collaborated in this distasteful and distinctly dodgy scam ……Sarwar, who as Labour leader in Scotland, is one who is not that politically astute in him deciding in this instance to rush out a partisan statement whose purpose was to blame the REAL victims (SNP) in this while supporting and defending the REAL culprits……Starmer, Labour Party HQ and Lindsay Hoyle.
However let’s also remember that with what happened today because of the Labour party HQ, Starmer and the Speaker was that they all put party politics before the lives of those in Gaza….all just to try and get one over on the SNP……absolute ducking Swines…..sorry who was it again that Angela Rayner called “Scum”….she may need to rethink that NOW !
Sorry for all my comments on this ….I should really hold off from Politics and get a hobby LOL
NMRN
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*”whose purpose was to blame the REAL victims (SNP) in this”
Badly worded REAL victims….. in the sense of the SNP’s motion should have been the one voted upon in the HOC…..so obviously the actual real victims are the Palestinians in all of this….apologies
NMRN
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