ABSTRACT
The main premise of this chapter is that the NATO countries in general, and the UK in particular, will continue to give into the future the increased emphasis upon new conventional weapons systems that has been apparent in recent years. Of course, the distinction between conventional and nuclear weapons systems is not clear-cut, and shows every sign of becoming ever more blurred. We are already used to dual-capable aircraft, artillery and anti-submarine warfare systems; in future we may have also to contend with dual-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, and with the resurrection of the concept of strategic weapons armed with conventional warheads. 1 Nevertheless, the distinction between conventional and nuclear weapons remains clear enough not to present too many difficulties to a discussion of the problems that an increased emphasis upon the former may raise for Britain's military research and development (R&D) enterprise.
