May and Trident
So the UK Media is trying to make a scandal of the Trident missile test in which something went wrong; a shining example of a counter-intuitive move against their own country that's symptomatic of the growing trend of putting accountability and transparency above security, respect and patriotism...
The Trident nuclear programme covers the development, procurement and operation of the UK's nuclear weapons. Namely; 4 submarines armed with Trident missiles containing thermonuclear warheads. At least 1 sub is always on patrol, providing a continuous presence to ward off would-be attackers. Trident's stated purpose by the Ministry of Defence is "To deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, which cannot be done by other means."
Nuclear armaments are unfortunately a necessary evil in this day and age, and accepting it for what it is, it's obvious that the system requires periodical testing. It recently made the news that a test took place in which something went wrong, causing an unarmed missile to go off-course. Obviously, things can go wrong, and that's part of the need for the regular testing. Indeed it's not so much the fact that something failed during the test that has drawn attention but rather the fact that the government seemingly attempted to "draw a veil" over the incident.
But why, one wonders, would we want to announce to the world the possibility of a problem with our single-most sophisticated piece of military equipment? Do we really want to make a statement to the world, or more specifically to any potential enemies, regarding a gap in our defences? Do we really want to risk letting out some detail that might be used against us in order to seek out a vulnerability?
The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has been pressured over her alleged knowledge of the failed test. The Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, has been urged to come clean over the test. A former Royal Navy commander has been quoted as saying the UK Government has "Behaved like North Korea by covering up the failure." When CNN published a report in which an unnamed US official said the missile was diverted into the ocean to self-destruct, it prompted a Labour MP to challenge Fallon on why US officials know more than the British public.
Frankly, I share the opinion of the Cabinet Minister Greg Clark who said the Government would not comment because it was a matter of national security. Quite right. Party members on both sides of the fence, along with the Media and the US should be keeping their mouths shut over what is a sensitive issue and accepting that it's a private military affair, a matter of UK security that rightfully has no place in the public domain. It's not a matter of interest to the UK or the international press or public.
All we need to know is that the country is proactively monitoring and testing our single most important defensive and offensive weapons system, and those who actually need to know the details are no-doubt privy to them already. We all need to just sit back, relax, and hope that the Media will some-day wake up and begin to see the dangerous point at which the lines between transparency and security start to blur. Until then I admire and respect the stern patriotism and calm awareness of military safeguards that May and Fallon have shown.
When the Media actually ease off their insane, unrealistic pursuit of full-disclosure, halt their endless campaign to find fault in the world within which they live and thrive, start to question the logic behind certain types of reporting, and work alongside the Government and the national power-brokers, that's when the really interesting things will start to happen...
