It has been obvious for some time that the UK's nuclear missiles have been no deterrent to the military actions of a resurgent Russia and certainly not to terrorism. The only nation which might be deterred from military expansionism by atomic weapons is China and, though we should all desire the continued independence of a liberal, democratic, Taiwan, the fight for it would be best conducted by Pacific nations. Now that Australia has come on board as a fellow atomic-powered submarine power with the US, there surely is no point in maintaining our own super-submarines based half a world away from where they would be needed. While Australia's boats are being built, we could even lease our Trident fleet or even attach boats and men to the Australian navy.
Australia's subs, though powered by American nuclear reactors, would be conventionally armed which in itself casts doubt on the need for atomic overkill as a deterrent.
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