Real struggle to keep nuclear subs active
AS TV’S Vigil reaches its dramatic conclusion tonight, Royal Navy chiefs are wrestling with a drama of their own – how to keep two nuclear deterrent submarines in operation at all times.
The “bombers” are Britain’s most secret defence asset, with the ability to strike enemies thousands of miles away with a payload of subsurface nuclear warheads.
Based at Faslane, in western Scotland, the fleet has four 8,500-tonne Vanguard-class submarines: Vanguard, Victorious, Vengeance and Vigilant.
To provide “continuous atsea deterrence”, one is on patrol at all times while a second is held in reserve.
In the hit BBC drama, Rear Admiral Shaw, played by Stephen Dillane, explains why HMS Vigil can’t return to base after the death of crew member Chief Petty Officer Craig Burke, saying: “At any given moment one of these boats is out on active patrol ready to fire within 15 minutes. It has been that way for over 50 years.we’re not going to abandon it.”
But problems with maintenance have created a backlog headache for Navy chiefs.
Vanguard, the oldest in the fleet, has been in refit in Devonport since 2015.With costs exceeding £100million a year, the rehaul is the longest and most expensive in Royal Navy history.
It won’t be completed for at least another year, because many parts are made by hand. Victorious is believed to be awaiting her own refit. Navy chiefs could decide to make it less comprehensive.
That leaves Vengeance and Vigilant to shoulder the responsibility of deterring aggression from hostile nuclear powers.
One of those is in need of maintenance lasting between three to 12 weeks. But this cannot happen because she is in reserve and needs to sail if a problem develops with the fourth vessel, which is on a sixmonth operational deployment.
Unexpected delays in Vanguard’s refit have left senior brass crossing their fingers that no new and serious faults develop on the two remaining operational vessels.
“One aspect that Vigil has reflected correctly is that commanders are only concerned with maintaining the continuous at-sea deterrent. That is the overwhelming priority for the Royal
Navy submarine service,” said one senior source. “Delays with Vanguard are problematic. By the time she emerges from dry dock she will have been in refit for seven years, and that’s only if current assessments aren’t too optimistic.”
As Victorious is thought to need a refit, the source added: “Of the other two, essential maintenance cannot take place on one and she may have to sail without, while we’re all hoping the fourth doesn’t develop any major faults.”
It emerged last night Britain offered its nuclear subs to help protect Canada against the growing menace of Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, in lieu of inviting it to join the Aukus pact.
That agreement – a deal between the US, the UK and Australia – caused fury in France which missed out on a multi-billion pound supply deal.
Gen Sir Nick Carter, head of Britain’s Armed Forces, has confirmed the UK wants to “co-operate in terms of helping Canada do what Canada needs to do as an Arctic country”.
It would mean Britain deploying nuclearpowered subs, which can patrol in the far north, alongside Canadian forces in joint exercises.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “The Royal Navy operates four Vanguard submarines, ensuring one is on patrol at all times to maintain the Continuous at Sea Deterrent. Since April 1969, a ballistic missile submarine has patrolled every day without interruption, helping to ensure that the UK and our allies remain safe.”