Peter Hitchens argues that the United Kingdom should scrap its Trident nuclear deterrent and instead develop a defensive capability comparable to Israel’s Iron Dome. In his remarks, he links the debate to perceived growing security risks in Europe, saying that after the UK’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, Russia may eventually target European capitals.
The proposal centers on the timetable of the current UK deterrent. Hitchens points out that Trident is scheduled to expire in the 2040s and that the Vanguard-class submarines are expected to be retired in the early 2030s. From this, he contends that the existing nuclear posture is not the most effective option.
The article presents Hitchens’s views without citing additional evidence from government or official defence assessments, focusing instead on his call for a shift from nuclear deterrence toward a predominantly missile-interception approach. The piece frames the argument as a response to changing threats, but it does not provide detailed plans, costs, or timelines for any alternative system.
