On 18 July, the House of Commons will vote on whether to renew Britain's controversial, ageing Trident nuclear weapons system. The decision on the fate of Britain's four Vanguard nuclear submarines will take place shortly before Parliament's summer recess.

Getty Images photojournalist Jeff J Mitchell spent some time with the crew onboard HMS Vigilant, one of the Royal Navy's four Vanguard-class submarines carrying the Trident ballistic missile, the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Trident nuclear submarine
Royal Navy personnel work in the control room on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Warrant Officer Johnston poses in the weapons room on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Able Seaman Smith and Able Seaman Davies relax on their bunks on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Lieutenant Ross works in the missile control centre on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Lieutenant Benson and Warrant Officer Firth pose in the missile compartments on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
ET Hicks poses in the auxiliary machinery space on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Warrant Officer Firth poses for a photograph in the missile compartments on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Warrant Officer Gray makes his way through a hatch on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Lieutenant Alexandra Olsson poses in the control room on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
STD Skinner poses in the ward room on HMS Vigilan Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
LOGS Howard poses in the ship's office Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Surgeon Lieutenant Tweed poses in the sick bay on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Chef Sewell prepares a curry in the galley on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Junior rates relax in the mess on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Junior rates play Playstation games in the mess on HMS Vigilant Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Royal Navy security personnel stand guard on HMS Vigilant at Her Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Royal Navy personnel go through training exercises in a bridge simulator at Her Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Trident nuclear submarine
Royal Navy personnel respond to a fire in a control room of a Vanguard Class ship simulator at Her Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The government says the nuclear deterrent is vital to keep Britain safe in an increasingly hostile world, but some opposition figures say it is indefensible to spend billions on renewing the programme at a time of austerity cuts. Labour had been a supporter of renewal but its leader Jeremy Corbyn, an anti-war campaigner, is opposed to the plans. The Scottish Nationalist Party wants the Trident submarines, which are based in Scotland, to be scrapped.

More from IBTimes UK
Conflict Pictures