The SNP states that an independent Scotland should not be part of the NATO command structure, but should be in Partners for Peace and the North Atlantic Co-operation Council, both of which embrace former Warsaw Pact and neutral nations. The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty allows mutual inspection of military assets at as little as 15 minutes notice. Russian representatives are in NATO headquarters, former Warsaw Pact nations are in NATO, and Russian troops have served under US command in SFOR in Bosnia. The chances of high intensity conflict of the type envisaged in the eighties has diminished. The lead in time to the start of major hostilities, with forces being brought up to full strength is now months, where previously it was days.
Nuclear weapons are a relic of the UK's post imperial delusions of grandeur.
It is time for the UK to realise its limitations and to equip its armed forces for the kind of low intensity conflict which is happening now. It will also have to maintain some expandable high intensity conflict ability, with conventional weapons and accurate delivery systems. The annual 1.5 billion Trident bill is a waste of money and supports an illegal and immoral weapons system whose use would represent the failure of humankind.