U.S. Lawmaker Would Support Temporary Move of UK Nuclear Deterrent to U.S.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) told the London-based Sunday Express that he would support relocating UK’s nuclear weapons-laden Vanguard-class submarines to U.S. shores should Scotland gain independence in a vote scheduled for today. Aides of Sensenbrenner, who is the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, confirmed the accuracy of the article, which quoted Sensenbrenner as saying the move would command overwhelming support in the U.S. The UK nuclear deterrent, comprising four Vanguard-class subs, is exclusively housed at Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Clyde, in western Scotland. Scottish officials have vowed to remove all nuclear weapons from their country in the event of a yes vote.

 

The U.S. already helps service the UK nuclear submarine fleet at Kings Bay, Ga., and some observers have suggested the U.S. could house the UK subs at Kings Bay if needed, though U.S. and UK officials have not commented on the issue. “I emphatically think this is a good idea,” Sensenbrenner told the Express. “Obviously what is left of the UK, if Scotland does become independent, would not want to have a significant part of its nuclear deterrent housed in a non-NATO country.” The Congressman predicted the project would garner “very strong republican support in Congress,” and he said he could see Congress approving the move when the vote comes up.