Media: US, UK to modernise nuclear arsenals

In a move to bolster their nuclear deterrence amidst rising global tensions, Britain and the United States have agreed to extend indefinitely their crucial Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA), a cornerstone of their longstanding alliance. 

The decision, pending legislative ratification from both nations, eliminates the previous 10-year renewal limit and underscores a significant shift in the global nuclear landscape, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media. 

First established in 1958 and renewed multiple times since, the MDA has facilitated deep technical cooperation between the two countries, covering the exchange of nuclear technology and information — though not the weapons themselves or control over them. 

This agreement is pivotal in maintaining the safety and reliability of both countries' nuclear arsenals and nuclear-powered engines.

The extension comes at a time of heightened international concern. The United Nations has recently warned that Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine has ignited a global arms race, with nations like China rapidly expanding their nuclear capabilities. China’s accelerated build-up is seen by some analysts as potentially matching Russia's arsenal, intensifying the strategic environment.

The Labour government, which recently won a general election, introduced the amended MDA to the UK Parliament on July 26, just before the summer recess. 

This extension will mitigate the risk of future US administrations using the treaty's renewal as a bargaining chip, providing greater stability for UK nuclear strategy, according to Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director of the Royal United Services Institute in London.

The indefinite extension of the MDA reaffirms the "special relationship" between Britain and the US and highlights their commitment to countering the evolving threats of nuclear proliferation and arms races on the global stage.