The government plans to lift the cap on the number of the number of nuclear warheads in the UK's stockpile, the foreign secretary has confirmed.
Dominic Raab described the move as the "ultimate insurance policy" against threats from hostile states.
The government's defence review is expected to recommend lifting the cap on warheads from 180 to 260.
Asked why the government wanted to end three decades of gradual disarmament, Mr Raab told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Because over time as the circumstances change and the threats change, we need to maintain a minimum credible level of deterrent.
“Why? Because it is the ultimate guarantee, the ultimate insurance policy against the worst threat from hostile states.”
It is not clear who the government thinks it might use the weapons against or who it thinks might consider launching a nuclear attack on the UK.
Just nine countries in the world still have nuclear weapons, putting the UK out-of-step with most of its European neighbours.
