Fury grows over 40% rise in Trident arsenal

sHOCK plans to increase the country’s nuclear warheads by 40 per cent were met with fury last night amid fears it could spark an international arms race.

In a pledge which overshadowed the release of the UK’s landmark defence, foreign policy and security review, Boris Johnson said he would raise the number of Trident nuclear missiles from 180 to 260.

The remarkable move comes more than 50 years after the signing of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in which the

Government committed to gradual nuclear disarmament.

In another controversial policy shift, the Integrated Review revealed that the UK could consider deploying its nuclear arsenal against non-nuclear countries if they possess equivalent weapons of mass destruction – which would include new ‘emerging technologies’.

And while the document states that the UK will not fire or threaten to use its missiles at a non-nuclear state, it also says that this could be reviewed in future so as to maintain the deterrent effect against potential adversaries.

Tobias Ellwood, Conservative chairman of the defence committee, said the plans warranted ‘further scrutiny’.

He added: ‘I have written to the Ministry of Defence seeking an explanation as to whether [the plan] is in response to an increased nuclear threat.

‘We also need clarity on how the Government is blurring the lines in what constitutes a justified retaliation.’

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, said: ‘The Prime Minister set out that the climate crisis was his number one priority then spent billions on more nuclear warheads...

‘They won’t protect us from the climate emergency but will fuel a nuclear arms race.’

However, last night, Downing street insisted that the 260 number was only a ‘ceiling’ not a ‘target’.

A spokesman added: ‘We believe the best way to protect ourselves and our Nato allies is to ensure that we continue to have a credible independent nuclear deterrent.’