Part 6/9:
The documents reveal a palpable fear among British authorities regarding Singapore’s impending independence. As the political landscape shifted, British officials expressed concern that the very existence of a nuclear arsenal in Singapore could become a political liability once the territory separated from Malaysia and moved towards independence.
The British feared that new leadership, especially left-wing or nationalist governments, might demand restrictions on the military presence or even call for the complete removal of British bases, including nuclear capabilities. This insecurity prompted Britain to consider that their reliance on the Singapore base for nuclear deterrence was fragile and potentially temporary.