London, July 9 (IANS) Outgoing British Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Saturday that the British Parliament will vote on the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system on July 19.
A replacement for the system was estimated to cost between $19 billion and $20.5 billion. The force currently consists of four submarines which are each capable of carrying up to 16 ballistic nuclear missiles which can hit targets up to 7,500 miles away, The Independent reported.
At any moment in time, at least one submarine is actively on patrol in case an attack is considered following a severe threat or strike against Britain.
Announcing the vote date at the NATO summit in Warsaw, Cameron reiterated his support for the scheme.
"The nuclear deterrent remains essential, in my view, not just to Britain's security but, as our allies have acknowledged here on Saturday, to the overall security of the NATO alliance," The Independent quoted Cameron as saying.
