Charging the strategic deterrent to the Navy budget

The Resolution-class Polaris force had been funded within the wider defence budget, whereas its Vanguard-class replacement was attributed entirely to the Royal Navy. That accounting change made the naval budget carry the cost of replacing a national nuclear capability. The deterrent was a strategic asset rather than a capability the Navy could employ for ordinary maritime tasks. Money committed to the ballistic-missile submarine force could consequently squeeze escorts, amphibious ships, and other conventional capabilities. Budget presentation therefore concealed a real force-structure tradeoff even when total naval spending appeared substantial.