Starmer: UK's nuclear arsenal is incredibly effective...and Putin respects it

VLADIMIR Putin respects the UK’s nuclear arsenal and its capabilities, Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

- Michael Knowles and Steph Spyro

The Prime Minister said Russia “appreciates” Britain’s deterrent and understands it is “credible”.

Sir Keir spoke about ongoing tensions with the Kremlin ahead of talks with military chiefs today about deploying official peacekeep- ers to Ukraine.

He said: “What is obviously important is they appreciate that it is what it is, which is a credible capa- bility. And that it most certainly is.

“It has been an incredibly effec- tive deterrent for decades. We must not take that for granted. Which is why it’s good that we’re going to the Dreadnought [submarine] class.

“The last few years and certainly the last few months have been a reminder, across the country and across Europe, of how important that first duty of defence and security is.”

Mission

Asked whether he believes Putin respects Britain’s nuclear arsenal, the PM replied: “Yes, that’s why the UK within Europe is one of the leading nations on defence and security, because we’ve got our own independent deterrent and we're committed to NATO.”

Britain has around 225 nuclear missiles, which are carried by Vanguard submarines. ‘The Vanguards will be replaced by Dreadnought subs from the 2030s.

Sir Keir will lay out plans for the next generation of Britain’s nuclear deterrent subs when he visits Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, today.

He will argue that his proposals to boost defence spending will help fulfil his mission to grow the UK economy.

Sir Keir also revealed military chiefs are preparing to draw up plans to send peacekeepers to Ukraine if an overall ceasefire can be brokered.

He said: “The fact that we have got to the military plans stage shows this is beyond the speeches given in the political arena.