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 . For half a century, big missile submarines, known as boomers, have been arguably the most decisive weapon systems in modern warfare – the queen on the strategic chessboard – because of their capacity to remain unseen until the critical moment, unleashing enormous destructive force without warning. 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 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 .