According to Sky News, citing a Defense Ministry spokesperson, an “anomaly” occurred during a test firing off the US state of Florida on January 30.
The spokesperson said that despite the failure of the test firing of the Trident missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the UK’s nuclear deterrent remains safe and effective, adding that they could not share further details as it is a matter of national security.
An official told The Sun newspaper that the missile fell near the submarine immediately after it was fired.
The Sun also reported that Defense Minister Shapps was on board the submarine when the incident occurred and that the anomaly was caused by the failure to fire the thrusters in the first stage.
The UK’s Trident missile firing test from a submarine had also failed in 2016, with the missile falling outside the designated area.
