What difference will it make having three submarines, as opposed to four?
Prof Smith says: “The idea of having four submarines is essentially so that you have got one spare, as extra insurance. “With the three submarines you have: one on patrol, one being prepared, and one being refitted. “Having the fourth in case there is an accident – so you can always guarantee there will be one on patrol – is quite important.” As stated in the previous answer, the government said it would only cut the numbers if it could find ways of maintaining the same level of cover. Q: How much will Trident scheme cost? A: In a report published today, Greenpeace suggested the procurement cost of new submarines and missiles could reach about £34bn – around double the £15-£20bn estimate cited by ministers. Prof Smith says: “All the Trident numbers are very, very unclear. The government or Greenpeace’s estimates are as good a guess as any. We don’t know what sort of submarines they are going to be, or what sort of missiles, or what’s going to happen about the warheads.” Q: Is eventual
