SNP pledges to scrap Trident, increase recruitment age and support Ukraine

The Scottish National Party has released its general election manifesto with a number of defence pledges – including plans to scrap the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Speaking in Edinburgh, SNP leader John Swinney said the party was a "moderate, left-of-centre party in the mainstream of Scottish public opinion, firmly rooted in the ideas of inclusion and internationalism".

He explained how "at the very heart of" the SNP was the belief that "decisions about Scotland should be made by the people who live in Scotland".

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But what exactly does the SNP have in store for defence?

Nuclear deterrent scrapped

Mr Swinney stated the SNP would "demand an end to the obscene waste of billions of pounds on a new generation of weapons of mass destruction".

The SNP manifesto also said that with the money gained from scrapping the nuclear deterrent, it would "invest the money into conventional defence and public services".

The party said it would "invest the billions spent funding these immoral weapons in public services, like our NHS and schools and adequately funding conventional defence".

"The SNP has never and will never support the retention or renewal of Trident, and will press the UK government to meet their international obligations on nuclear disarmament," the manifesto outlined.

Continued support for Ukraine

The SNP said it would stand by Ukraine and "strongly oppose the Russian invasion".

The manifesto said the SNP would support Ukrainians who have resettled in Scotland and pressure the UK government to extend visa rights.

It also said it would "do everything in our power to see the restoration of peace and ensure Ukraine's sovereignty, democracy, independence and territorial integrity is maintained".   Lastly, the SNP said it would continue to support the UK's military aid to Ukraine and "press the UK government to ensure the sanctions regime against Russia is effective".

Countering disinformation and increasing recruitment age

The SNP said it would look to raise the military recruitment age to 18, in line with international standards.

In the manifesto, the party also said it would look to "strengthen Scotland's security by pushing the UK to focus on countering disinformation and misinformation".

The SNP said it would push the UK government to better protect national critical infrastructure and strengthen the UK's ability to "rebound and rebuild from the aftermath of a shock or crisis".

Needs of personnel and veterans

The needs of both the Armed Forces and veteran communities would be prioritised, according to the SNP manifesto.   The party said it had "long campaigned for an Armed Forces Representative Body to accommodate the wide range of needs, concerns and identities within the forces community".

Veterans' and their families' employment, social inclusion, health and wellbeing should be prioritised, according to the SNP.

The party's manifesto also said the SNP would "ensure that the War Disablement Pension is exempt from the assessment of income for veterans who require social care services".