Distorted Reality: UK Calls for Nuclear Buildup Citing Russian Navy Upgrade

The modernization of the Russian navy has surfaced as a big concern for Britain who is trying to use it as a pretext for building up its nuclear arsenal.

"The facts are that Russia is building new classes of submarine. That has to pose a concern to the UK and the protection of its deterrent," Rear Admiral John Weale was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

According to him, nuclear deterrence is necessary for the defense of the UK as an "insurance policy against an extreme threat that cannot be countered by any other way."

He added that British nuclear submarines have never been detected on patrol by Russia, but that Moscow’s upgrade of its naval forces was a concern.

Earlier this week, Russian Vice Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov said Russia is in the preparation stage for building a new generation non-nuclear submarine named the Kalina project. It will feature the best characteristics of the submarines of projects 677 Lada and 636 Varshavyanka.

On Thursday, British Defense Minister Michael Fallon visited the nuclear submarine base at Faslane on the Clyde in Scotland. He said that Britain now needs nuclear deterrence more than ever before.

The base is home for the British nuclear deterrence forces, particularly for submarines armed with Trident nuclear missiles.