SAN,
We have no carrier borne AD at the moment and yet I seem to remember a news item or two about some troops being abroad at the moment
As for Trident stopping a nuclear attack on the UK I think that that is best answered with
.
Even the US is realising the concept MAD deterrence is no longer applicable, hence the current attempt to get a "missile shield" system in place.
This does not deal with the fact that the most effective way to deploy nukes to either the UK or the US is by truck not by rocket.
It comes back to value for money and getting the right tools for the right jobs.
We are not spending enough on the boys on the ground to allow properly equipped forces to be sent overseas never mind having them defended by carrierborne aircraft. Therefore lets stop going overseas and killing our youngest and bravest in defence of political expediency and corporate greed.
Trident is not going to stop a rational enemy from launching a nuclear attack since no rational leader would do such a thing. As for the irrational enemy, aint nothing going to stop him/her when the time comes.
A nuclear deterrent is a failure if you use it and a waste of money if you do not.
Cheers
BHR