§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of(a) the cost of Trident warheads, (b) their life and (c) the costs of disposal. [50392]
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§ Mr. George RobertsonThe production costs for Trident warheads in the last financial year were £20 million. Taking into account decisions made in the Strategic Defence Review, our current estimate for the total production costs is some £300 million.
We expect the Trident warhead to be kept in service for the full planned 25 to 30 year life of the Trident force. Limited life warhead components will be replaced and the warheads refurbished as required during this period.
Warhead disposal costs will depend upon future plans for the use or disposal of fissile material from the warheads.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Trident warheads currently held; how many have been destroyed; and how many have been ordered. [50379]
§ Mr. George RobertsonAs stated in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper published on 8 July, (Cmd 3999), the United Kingdom will maintain an operationally available stockpile of fewer than 200 Trident warheads. Changes are being implemented to our warhead production plans to maintain the operationally available stockpile at this reduced level. Some warheads will also be required to provide a necessary processing margin and for technical surveillance purposes. I am withholding details of the exact number of Trident warheads currently held and information on Trident warhead production and decommissioning plans under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International Relations.