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The test firing of a Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine has failed, for the second time in a row.
The latest test of the UK's nuclear deterrent was from HMS Vanguard and was seen by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The missile's booster rockets failed and it landed in the sea close to the launch site, according to the Sun, which first reported the malfunction.
Mr Shapps said he has "absolute confidence" in Trident's submarines, missiles and nuclear warheads.
This is highly embarrassing for both the UK and the US manufacturer of the Trident missile.
British tests of Trident missiles are rare, not least because of the cost. Each missile is worth around £17m and the last test in 2016 also ended in failure when the missile veered off course. Test-fired missiles are not armed with their nuclear warheads.
www.bbc.com
The latest test of the UK's nuclear deterrent was from HMS Vanguard and was seen by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The missile's booster rockets failed and it landed in the sea close to the launch site, according to the Sun, which first reported the malfunction.
Mr Shapps said he has "absolute confidence" in Trident's submarines, missiles and nuclear warheads.
This is highly embarrassing for both the UK and the US manufacturer of the Trident missile.
British tests of Trident missiles are rare, not least because of the cost. Each missile is worth around £17m and the last test in 2016 also ended in failure when the missile veered off course. Test-fired missiles are not armed with their nuclear warheads.
Trident missile test fails for second time in a row
The UK's nuclear deterrent failed to fire a test missile reportedly landing close to the launch site.
www.bbc.com
