The telegraph
Britain could use nuclear weapons against ’emerging technology’ threats such as cybernetics and AI
Britain could use nuclear weapons if it faces the threat of devastating “emerging technologies” such as cyber and artificial intelligence, the government’s foreign policy review warned. The government has long claimed that the United Kingdom would not conduct a nuclear attack against any country without nuclear weapons that complies with the 1968 non-proliferation treaty. The guarantee does not apply to states that violate the terms of the agreement. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister extended the warnings to warn that Britain reserves the right to revise this guarantee “whether the future threat of weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical and biological capabilities, or emerging technologies that could having a comparable impact, makes it necessary “. A government source said that emerging technologies include “game transformers” such as cyber weapons, AI, encryption and laser-driven energy. Tom Plant, director of proliferation and nuclear policy at the Royal United Services Institute, said: “The world is fundamentally interconnected. New technologies, behaviors and modes of use may emerge that potentially have an effect similar to a nuclear attack. The government’s 114-page review, entitled “Global Britain in a competitive age”, also sets out plans for the United Kingdom to increase its nuclear arsenal limit from “no more” 180 warheads to a maximum of 260, a 40 percent increase. Mr. Plant told The Telegraph: “This statement of intent sends a clear signal of commitment across the Atlantic. “He added that the policy” goes against the assurances previously given that the program to replace the UK’s existing nuclear deterrent system will not increase the number of nuclear warheads in service and the past 2 decades of nuclear reductions step by step. analyst Matthew Harries said the decision will come at a cost to the UK’s reputation for multilateral diplomacy. “This is a clear contrast to other areas of the Integrated Review, such as climate change, where the government emphasizes multilateral approaches,” he said. A more opaque approach to public disclosures about Trident nuclear deterrence was also established in the review. He stated that the Government “will no longer provide public data for our operational arsenal, deployed warheads or number of missiles deployed”. He added: “This ambiguity complicates the calculations of potential attackers, reduces the risk of deliberate nuclear use by those seeking an advantage in the first attack and contributes to strategic stability.” The review confirmed that the Royal Navy will maintain four nuclear-powered submarines, allowing at least one to be always available at sea for firing, maintaining the so-called Continuous Deterrent at Sea. The Ministry of Defense will continue to maintain its nuclear stance “under constant review to in light of the international security environment and the actions of potential adversaries, ”added the review. He stated: “We will maintain the necessary capacity to impose costs on an opponent that would far outweigh the benefits they could hope to achieve if they threatened our security, or that of our Allies. UK nuclear weapons are operationally independent and only the prime minister can authorize their use, ensuring that political control is maintained at all times. Since 1969, Britain’s nuclear deterrent has been operated by the Royal Navy. The current fleet of four nuclear-powered Vanguard-class submarines is expected to be replaced by a similar number of Dreadnought-class boats by 2030. The Dreadnought program, built by defense company BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, is expected to cost £ 31 billion, with an additional £ 10 billion set aside as a contingency. Each boat will have 12 launch tubes and will carry about eight Trident D5 ballistic missiles, each with several nuclear warheads. A maximum of 40 warheads will be carried on each submarine during a patrol.