Sunak praised for UK nuclear deterrence during meeting with Biden, says expert

According to a British defence analyst, the British prime minister holds more prestige than leaders of countries such as New Zealand and the Netherlands due to the UK’s possession of an independent nuclear deterrent. The AUKUS security pact between the United States, Australia, and the UK was signed in San Diego on Monday, providing Australia with a nuclear-powered submarine capability while developing and providing joint advanced military capabilities to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The first vessel is expected to enter service in the 2030s. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent was originally provided by the UK’s own Polaris missile system before a deal was struck with the United States for the supply of Trident missiles. The decision to renew the programme has faced criticism from those who view spending billions of pounds on it as a poor use of funds.