TNAG-0476-FCO40-541-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 91

SECRET

SECRET UK EYES A

XV OPTION G NUCLEAR OPTIONS

137. In a separate more highly classified paper various ways in

which savings in the nuclear programme might be achieved are fully

examined. Justice cannot be done to this option in a paper classified

but a broad outline of the possible variations is set

'Secret';

out below.

At the Critical Level

138. At the Critical level, (Option C), the only savings from the

nuclear programme which could be contemplated from a military

viewpoint would be cancellation of provision for possible future

generation tactical weapons which would yield additional total

savings in the LTC period of about £21m. The implications of this

for the Royal Navy would be the deferment of an increased capability

to destroy the more modern, fast, deep diving nuclear submarines.

Further Savings

139. Further more sweeping reductions (including manpower) in our

nuclear capability have been considered, and are summarised in

the following paragraphs. None is accepted from the military or

political points of view; each would entail a radical change in UK

defence policy, and seriously affect NATO strategy.

Reductions in the Strategic Deterrent (POLARIS)

140. There are two possibilities: to continue the existing force

into the early 1990s, but not improve it so as to maintain its

credibility as a national strategic deterrent;

alternatively, to

scrap the force altogether. The first alternative would save in

practical terms a total of about £170m development, production and

mining costs over the LTC period. The improvement project has been

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EYES A

SECRET VECHET