Sub-strategic Nuclear Weapons (Hansard, 24 May 1993)

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 20, what specific contribution sub-strategic nuclear weapons make towards the United Kingdom's deterrence posture; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The sub-strategic nuclear capability ensures the coherence of our overall deterrent posture by providing the essential link between conventional and strategic nuclear forces.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's latest assessment of the number of sub-strategic nuclear weapons deployed by Russia.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Many Russian sub-strategic forces are being withdrawn from service and are earmarked for destruction, but it is estimated that some 12,000 warheads remain. Many of these are not assessed as being fully operational.