HMS Vengeance concluded a continuous 217-day submerged mission to Faslane, Scotland, after its relief vessel suffered a technical fault that forced it back to port. The 140-person crew operated under strict radio silence and rotating six-hour shifts, receiving only heavily restricted, one-way weekly communications. The extended duration reflects broader structural problems across the Vanguard-class fleet, which is being forced to serve up to 40 years despite an initial 25-year design lifespan. The submarine physically showed the toll of the prolonged deployment, arriving back at base missing sound-absorbing tiles and covered in marine growth.
Key points
Vanguard-class patrol lengths have more than doubled from their historic three-month norm…: Vanguard-class patrol lengths have more than doubled from their historic three-month norms because of a shortage of seaworthy vessels.
The aging submarine fleet must be pushed to operate for up to four decades until the Drea…: The aging submarine fleet must be pushed to operate for up to four decades until the Dreadnought-class enters service in the early 2030s.
Senior military and defence leaders acknowledged the debt owed to personnel while warning…: Senior military and defence leaders acknowledged the debt owed to personnel while warning that fleet maintenance capabilities must urgently improve.
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A Royal Navy submarine carrying Trident nuclear missiles has returned to its Scottish base after a record-breaking 217 days spent submerged on patrol.
The 140-strong crew of HMS Vengeance have spent the tour in almost total isolation beneath the surface after setting out from Faslane, near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, on 12 April.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting was at HM Naval Base Clyde to welcome them home after the longest deployment at sea for a British vessel.
The typical patrol length for the UK's Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines has more than doubled in recent years, with six-month durations now routine due to a shortage of seaworthy vessels.
Crew members could be seen standing on HMS Vengeance as it travelled up Gare Loch earlier, accompanied by some smaller Naval support vessels and tug boats.
The vessel was encrusted in marine growth and some of its sound-absorbing tiles were missing.
HMS Vengeance was expected back at Faslane last weekend, but that was reported to have been delayed, external when the submarine replacing it on patrol had to return to base…
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