Three of the Royal Navy’s four Vanguard-class submarines, which carry the UK’s Trident nuclear missiles, are deployed simultaneously, something not seen for at least seven years, GB News reports, citing The Times.
One boat is on the usual deterrence patrol and a second is preparing to take over from it. The third, HMS Vigilant, has gone back to sea for trials after a long spell of maintenance. The fourth, HMS Victorious, has been in deep maintenance at Devonport since 2023.
With only two submarines available in recent years, crews have at times spent more than 200 days on a single patrol. An insider told The Times that Vigilant’s return could allow the navy to move to a three-boat rotation and end such lengthy deployments.
Source: GB News
