A Vanguard-class Royal Navy submarine just welcomed home by the Prime Minister and First Sea Lord had spent more than six months submerged on patrol.
As per media reports, the unnamed nuclear-missile-armed boat just relieved of its duties providing Britain’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD) had been at sea for 205 days, setting a new record for the longest unbroken patrol by a Royal Navy submarine.
Its crew of 140 were joined for the final part of their journey back to HM Naval Base Clyde (aka Faslane) by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Defence Secretary John Healey, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, and Chief of Defence Nuclear Madeline McTernan.
Sir Gwyn commented: “The return from Continuous At-Sea Deterrence patrol is a moment to reflect with pride on the extraordinary dedication of the crew. These highly trained submariners have once again demonstrated the professionalism and resolve that makes the Royal Navy the finest in the world.”
He also paid tribute to the support shown to them by family and friends, a sentiment echoed by Defence Secretary John Healey, who said: “The families who support them make huge sacrifices to keep this country safe and I am deeply grateful to them all.”
He added: “Our UK nuclear deterrent is the ultimate guarantee of our security, and as the threats we face increase, it is more important now than ever.”
As part of a £270m improvement plan at the base, a new facility to train submariners who will operate the Dreadnought-class submarines has just been officially opened.
The new Trident Training Facility Extension will provide crews, including weapons engineers, with shore-based equipment replicating those that will be found on board a Dreadnought-class boat. It is set to welcome its first students later this year.
New accommodation blocks are also scheduled to open later this year, including two intended for submariner students undertaking training at Clyde’s new Royal Navy Submarine Training Centre (RNSTC).
- You can read more details on the Royal Navy website