We recently suggested that David Cameron's decision to delay the development of a replacement for the Trident strategic nuclear missiles may have been made in order to facilitate the creation of a joint Anglo French nuclear force.
The following is a quote from a very interesting Parliamentary briefing paper:
"In February 2010 the French government reportedly presented a proposal to the UK for the creation of a joint UK-French nuclear deterrent as part of proposals for greater procurement collaboration and potential cost savings between the two countries in the current economic climate.
While a number of analysts have suggested those proposals involve the sharing of nuclear patrols in order to maintain a continuous-at-sea deterrent,others have speculated that France is looking to promote the sale of its newly developed M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile as an alternative to the Trident strategic weapons system."
