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Astraea Project Advances: £15 Billion Trident Warhead Upgrade

10/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The UK Ministry of Defence says Project Astraea, designated A21/Mk7, is progressing.
The project proceeds under the Strategic Defence Review 2025.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard says the funding is part of a £15 billion investment.
Astraea will replace the Holbrook warhead on Trident II D5 missiles and will enter service in the 2030s without live testing under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, developed with the US W93 programme.

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Story summary

The UK Ministry of Defence says Project Astraea, designated A21/Mk7, is progressing.
The project proceeds under the Strategic Defence Review 2025.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard says the funding is part of a £15 billion investment.
Astraea will replace the Holbrook warhead on Trident II D5 missiles and will enter service in the 2030s without live testing under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, developed with the US W93 programme.