Voice of Russia (radio) – 5 Oct 2012

Until last month, Britain's nuclear deterrent – currently the Trident submarine missile system – was low down the agenda in most newsrooms. But the suggestion by the Liberal Democrat, Sir Nick Harvey, that the replacement for Trident could be a cheaper, downgraded version has ignited the debate over Britain's nuclear weapons.

Sir Nick's words had added punch because until last month he was a minister in the Ministry of Defence, leading a government review of Trident's successor. He's argued that there's a strong financial and military imperative for that downgrading, arguing it's possible to save money, while keeping the country safe.

So is that possible? And, more fundamentally, is the end of Trident an opportunity to discuss getting rid of Britain's nuclear weapons altogether?

VOR's Hywel Davis discusses this with Dr Kate Hudson, General Secretary for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND); Toby Fenwick, research associate at CentreForum and the author of the report 'Dropping the bomb: a post Trident future'; Dr Julian Lewis, Conservative MP and the Shadow Defence Minister from 2002 to 2010 and Benjamin Harris-Quinney, chairman and research fellow in international security and global affairs at the Bow Group think tank.

To listen to this broadcast debate, click here.