Three of UK's Four Nuclear Deterrent Submarines At Sea Together
Three of the United Kingdom's four Vanguard-class nuclear deterrent submarines are at sea at the same time. Al Jazeera reported that this is the first time in five years that three boats of the class have been at sea together. The three are HMS Vanguard, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance. The fourth, HMS Victorious, is undergoing maintenance.
At least one of the three is reported to be armed with ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads. A ballistic missile is a rocket that travels along a high, arcing path before coming down on its target. The Vanguard class is equipped with the Trident II D5 missile system.
The Times was the first to report the deployment, on 28 October. Sky News said the reason the three submarines were at sea together was unclear at the time of its reporting. Firstpost described the deployment as unusual.
The submarines are part of a standing arrangement. According to the Royal Navy, the UK's Continuous At Sea Deterrent ensures that at least one nuclear-powered, armed ballistic missile submarine is always at sea. That practice has been in place since 1969.
The Vanguard class consists of four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. GOV.UK says the boats are more than 150 metres long and are the largest submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated. HMS Vanguard was the first of the class.
The class is due to be replaced. Government documents describe the Dreadnought class as the next generation of nuclear deterrent submarines, one that will replace the Vanguard class in time, as the Submarine Delivery Agency reports.
