Following its first successful nuclear weapons test in 1952, the United Kingdom became the third country after the United States and Soviet Union to field an independently, With successful independent nuclear program which only the world's two superpowers otherwise had.
Britain's claim that it was still a leading world power, despite its failing and highly indebted economy and its declining conventional military capabilities, could be substantiated to some degree. Ultimately Britain's nuclear arsenal remains the only one in the world which is unable to be utilized independently without permission from a foreign power.
Britain today maintains a sizeable nuclear arsenal, which as of 2021 stands at 120 operationally available warheads and a further 95 in reserve - with plans to increase the number operational. All from nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines equipped with intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.
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