Britain to pare back nuclear sub program

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Britain plans to scale back its Trident nuclear fleet by cutting the number of missile-carrying subs from four to three, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the decision isn't a cost-saving measure but part of a global effort led by U.S. President Barack Obama to reduce nuclear stockpiles and force countries such as Iran to abandon efforts to build atomic weapons, The Times of London reported.

Brown is expected to formally announce his willingness to scale back the Trident program during his address Wednesday before the U.N. General Assembly, Brown's office confirmed to CNN.

Although small compared with Russian and U.S. nuclear stockpiles, Brown says his offer would add pressure on Iran to engage in a new treaty regarding its own nuclear program.