UK could cut warheads if U.S., Russia go further

By Matt Falloon

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain could look at further reductions in the number of its nuclear warheads, but only if the United States and Russia make deeper cuts in their arsenals than those already announced, the government said on Thursday.

This month, the United States and Russia pledged to finalise a treaty by year-end to cut deployed nuclear warheads on each side to 1,500-1,675 from levels above 2,200, spurring hopes for a new wave of nuclear weapons cuts across the globe.

Washington will host a nuclear security summit in March where Iran and North Korea are likely to come under pressure from Western nations to sign up to the idea of a nuclear-free world.

"The government continues to judge, as in 2006, that a minimum nuclear deterrent remains an essential element of our national security," Labour said in a policy document aimed at influencing the Washington meeting.

"Once the strategic conditions are established that allow the U.S. and Russia to make substantial reductions beyond those being currently negotiated of their warhead stockpiles, we believe that it is likely to be appropriate for the UK to reconsider the size of its own stockpile."

Britain has about 160 operational warheads, a 75 percent cut from the Cold War era.

"As soon as it becomes useful for our arsenal to be included in broader negotiation, Britain stands ready to participate and to act," Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a statement.

POSSIBLE SPENDING CUTS