A UK nuclear missile test launch failed last month at a site off the coast of Florida.
It is the second time in the last eight years that the country's Trident 2 projectiles have failed during these tests.
An “anomaly” occurred during the test aboard the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Vanguard, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense explained in a statement on Wednesday.
“We are confident that the anomaly was event-specific, and therefore there are no implications for the reliability of the broader Trident missile systems and their reserves,” the document added.
This incident, first reported by The Sun, occurred on January 30 when the Trident 2 missile and the fake warhead were sent into the air, when the projectile's first stage propellants failed to ignite, ending up in the ocean.
A source told CNN that the failure was specific to the testing period and that the launch would likely have been successful if a real nuclear warhead had been used.
A senior official was on board
The British Ministry of Defense confirmed that its head, Minister Grant Shapps, was on HMS Vanguard at the time the anomaly occurred.
The statement added that this incident also had no implications for the ability to fire its nuclear weapons “should the circumstances arise in which we needed to do so.”
“As a matter of national security, we cannot provide any further information in this regard, however, we are confident that the anomaly was specific to the event,
and therefore there are no implications for the reliability of the
broader Trident missile systems and arsenals.” ,” the ministry said.
Admiral Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy, was also on the submarine.
[North Korea fires a suspected long-range ballistic missile into the sea: it is its first launch in a month]
Government concern
British lawmakers are calling for assurances on the nation's nuclear deterrent following reports of this anomaly.
John Healey, spokesman for the opposition Labor Party on defense issues, said reports of the test's failure were "concerning."
"The Defense Secretary will want to reassure Parliament that this test has no impact on the effectiveness of the UK's deterrence operations," he added.
HMS Vanguard is one of four British Vanguard-class submarines, which provide the UK's nuclear deterrent by ensuring one of the vessels is constantly at sea.
The nuclear-powered submarines carry Trident 2 D5 nuclear missiles, which are also used by the US Navy.
The Trident, manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, is a ballistic missile that can be fired at targets
up to 4,000 miles away
(about 6,437 kilometers).
The missiles are ejected from the submarine by high-pressure gas before the solid fuel engines ignite upon reaching the water surface.
With information from
The Associated Press.
British lawmakers are seeking assurances about the nation's nuclear deterrent following reports that a test of the system failed dramatically last month when an unarmed missile crashed into the sea near the submarine from which it was launched.
The Sun newspaper reported on Tuesday that the incident occurred while Defense Secretary Grant Shapps was aboard HMS Vanguard to witness the test firing of a Trident missile designed to carry nuclear warheads.
Shapps and Admiral Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy, were taking part in the latest Vanguard exercise, following a refurbishment that has lasted more than seven years.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that an “anomaly” had occurred but said that “the test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK's nuclear deterrent.”
“As a matter of national security, we cannot provide any further information in this regard, however, we are confident that the anomaly was specific to the event, and therefore there are no implications for the reliability of the broader Trident missile systems and arsenals.” ,” the ministry said.
“The UK's nuclear deterrent remains safe and effective,” he added.
John Healey, the opposition Labor Party's defense spokesman, said reports of the test failure were "concerning."
“The Defense Secretary will want to reassure Parliament that this test has no impact on the effectiveness of the UK's deterrence operations,” he said.
HMS Vanguard is one of four British Vanguard-class submarines, which provide Britain's nuclear deterrent by ensuring one of the vessels is constantly at sea.
The nuclear-powered submarines carry Trident 2 D5 nuclear missiles, which are also used by the US Navy.
The Trident, manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, is a ballistic missile that can be fired at targets up to 4,000 miles away (about 6,437 kilometers).
The missiles are ejected from the submarine by high-pressure gas before the solid fuel engines ignite upon reaching the water surface.