Britain invests more than $1bn to extend the life of nuclear-powered Trident II intercontinental ballistic missiles with a launch range of more than 12,000km

The United Kingdom is investing more than $1 billion in the Trident II ballistic missile retention programme. This was announced by James Cartlidge, Britain's Defence Procurement Secretary.

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The US has launched a programme to keep the Trident II (D5) in service until the 2040s. James Cartlidge said the UK will spend £320.5m ($407.5m). An additional £140m ($178m) will be allocated to maintain key components and £361m ($459m) to extend the life of rocket engines. The total investment will be £821.5 million (~$1.045 billion)

The UGM-133A Trident II is an intercontinental ballistic missile designed by Lockheed Martin for strategic missile cruisers. The Trident II is carried by US Ohio-class submarines and British Vanguard-class submarines.

The Royal Navy has four submarines in service: the Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant and Vengeance. Each ballistic missile can carry up to eight nuclear warheads. Their launch range, depending on their number, ranges from 7,500km to more than 12,000km.

Source: UK Parliament