The Royal Navy 's decision to install a variant of Windows Vista as the operating system on its missile - carrying Typhoon - class submarines may have been cheaper , however , the off - the - shelf " Windows for Submarines " is also more vulnerable to malware , hence there are more updates in circulation that could impact it . Every time a UK submarine comes into port and receives a software update , it is newly vulnerable , despite the Ministry of Defence insisting that Trident " is safe and secure " . This revelation follows criticisms that the UK 's cyber fortifications are inadequate . The UK relies on the speed and stealth of submarines for its Trident nuclear missiles , therefore these developments could impact the on - going debate over Trident .
The Royal Navy's decision to install a variant of Windows XP as the operating system on its missile-carrying Vanguard-class submarines may have been cheaper, however, the off-the-shelf "Windows for Submarines" is also more vulnerable to malware, hence there are more bugs in circulation that could impact it. Every time a UK submarine comes into port and receives a software patch, it is newly vulnerable, despite the Ministry of Defence insisting that Trident "remains safe and secure". This revelation follows criticisms that the UK's cyber fortifications are inadequate. The UK depends on the invisibility and stealth of submarines for its Trident nuclear missiles, therefore these developments could impact the on-going debate over Trident.