 The UK's Trident submarines (Vanguard class, powered by nuclear reactors) are based at the Clyde Submarine Base in Faslane, Scotland. In the 1980s and 1990s, major construction work was carried out at the base to build facilities to accommodate Trident. Faslane also hosts visits from US Trident submarines.
Faslane also hosts a number of nuclear-powered attack submarines, known as ‘hunter killers’. These submarines carry conventional weapons, and are used to escort Trident submarine on their patrols.
Coulport
Trident warheads are stored at the Royal Naval Arms Depot Coulport, adjacent to Faslane. Basic maintenance work and inspections are carried out on the warheads here and, from time to time, small numbers are removed from each submarine and replaced. Rocket fuel, high explosives and plutonium are kept in close proximity at the depot.
Continuous opposition
Faslane is a big focus of protest against UK nuclear weapons. A permanent peace camp was set up near the base in 1982. Blockades are organised at the base every year and from October 2006 to October 2007, the Faslane 365 campaign organised a year of continuous peaceful blockading – 131 blockading groups took part in the action, many from abroad.
The Scottish government voted against Trident replacement in 2007; the majority of Scottish people (64% in an ICM poll ) are against a new nuclear weapons system being based in Scotland.
To find out more about Trident and the campaign against it at Faslane, watch the 8 minute film following campaigners on the final day of the Faslane 365 protest:
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