Topic: 2026 – Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Felix Tlachac
The United Kingdom is in possession of ballistic missiles and carries nuclear-armed missiles for defense. There is a continuous deployment of underwater submarines, with at least one armed with ballistic nuclear missiles. The United Kingdom claims that these defenses are “the minimum amount of destructive power needed to deter any aggressor.” They are currently working to replace their Vanguard submarines, used since 1992, with newer Dreadnought submarines. The United Kingdom is working for control over these complex missiles, with the UK in possession of many different types. These include the Brimstone, an air-to-surface missile with a range of 8-6 0 kilometers, the Harpoon, an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) with a range of 90-240 kilometers, the PGM-500 and PGM-2000, air-to-surface missiles with a range of 15-50 kilometers, the SCALP EG and the Storm Shadow, an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) with a range of 550 kilometers, and the Trident D5, a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of 12,000 kilometers. The Trident is the only ballistic missile used by the United Kingdom. Considering that at least one submarine is armed with them at all times, they are very important to the defence of the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom would be highly unlikely to give up its ballistic defenses, with the only possible solution being another equal type of defense. The missiles are constantly deployed, but they have never been fired in a conflict. Submarine defenses have been the main defence system of the United Kingdom since the Cold War, largely because of how effective it is. With them, one armed submarine is deployed at all times, with two more at port and the last one in overhaul, unable to be deployed quickly. The Trident ballistic missiles are kept in a de-targeted mode, where coordinates must be entered before firing. The main reason why the UK has stuck to their submarine defenses is for a backup if land forces are destroyed. The UK is too small to withstand any nuclear attacks, but these submarines serve as a last-ditch effort in the worst. The United Kingdom does not publicize its targeting policies, with it largely being unknown. The Trident missiles contain nuclear warheads, with power ranging from 90-100 kilotonnes to 475 kilotonnes. One kilotonne is equivalent to a thousand tonnes of TNT.
The United Kingdom has arrangements with the United States on missile targeting, with strategies for targeting Russia being the main focus. The UK states that it will not threaten or use nuclear power against countries that do not have this same power, unless they violate the terms of the 1968 treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. All 5 nuclear states have agreed to this treaty, with 191 states joining in total. This treaty is the most ratified treaty out of any other treaties regarding nuclear proliferation. Provisions of this treaty suggest a review of the operation of the treaty every 5 years, which has been maintained. Although it was written in 1968, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was put into effect in 1970. In 1995, it was decided that this treaty would continue indefinitely.
Mentioned before, the only solutions that the United Kingdom would accept are ones where other powerful weapons are deployed, such as cruise or hypersonic missiles. Even then, the United Kingdom is highly unlikely to give up its ballistic missiles. The UK believes getting rid of these defenses will not prompt others to remove their weapons, but instead leave them defenseless and vulnerable to incoming attacks.
Works Cited
Kristensen, Hans M., et al. “United Kingdom nuclear weapons, 2024.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 14 November 2024, https://thebulletin.org/premium/2024-11/united-kingdom-nuclear-weapons-2024/. Accessed 10 February 2026.
“Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).” United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, https://disarmament.unoda.org/en/our-work/weapons-mass-destruction/nuclear-weapons/treaty-non-proliferation-nuclear-weapons. Accessed 10 February 2026.
Missile Defense Project, “Missiles of the United Kingdom,” Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies, June 14, 2018, last modified March 3, 2021, https://missilethreat.csis.org/country/united-kingdom/. Accessed 10 February 2026
