§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the technical maximum number of warheads capable of deployment on Polaris missiles when they first entered service; what change took place in connection with the deployment of Chevaline; and what is the technical maximum currently.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe 16-missile Polaris submarines each entered service with the Royal Navy carrying 48 warheads. The Chevaline development provided warheads that are hardened against the effects of anti-ballistic missile defences, together with penetration aids, and the ability to manoeuvre the payload in space. It is long-standing policy not to divulge specific warhead numbers either current or planned; but the Government made clear at the time that Chevaline did not involve any increase in the number of warheads associated with the Polaris force.