Britain’s territorial waters left ‘spectacularly exposed’ with all SIX of the UK’s hunter-killer submarines are stuck in port because there are no working dry docks to repair them

Britain’s waters have been left exposed to Russian threats while all six of its hunter-killer submarines are stuck in port with no dry docks to repair them.  It comes as Russian ‘underwater activity’ is at its highest level since the Cold War, chief of defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said.  The hunter-killer subs, which
Britain’s territorial waters left ‘spectacularly exposed’ with all SIX of the UK’s hunter-killer submarines are stuck in port because there are no working dry docks to repair them

Britain’s waters have been left exposed to Russian threats while all six of its hunter-killer submarines are stuck in port with no dry docks to repair them. 

It comes as Russian ‘underwater activity’ is at its highest level since the Cold War, chief of defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said. 

The hunter-killer subs, which are nuclear-powered, are specifically designed to attack and sink enemy submarines and surface ships. 

They play an important role in the Royal Navy Fleet, carrying out short-range attacks, as well as surveillance and intelligence missions.

But none of the Astute-class subs, the fleet’s newest, have conducted a single operational voyage this year, as the Royal Navy has no working docks for repairs.

The Sun newspaper reported HMP Ambush has not sailed for two years; HMP Audacious has spent the last 15 months in His Majesty’s Naval Base in Devonport and HMP Artful and HMS Astute are currently at HMNB Clyde.

HMS Astute (pictured) is currently at HMNB Clyde

HMS Astute (pictured) is currently at HMNB Clyde 

HMS Triumph (pictured) did attempt a mission this year but it turned back at Gibraltar after off-loading its tomahawk missiles

HMS Triumph (pictured) did attempt a mission this year but it turned back at Gibraltar after off-loading its tomahawk missiles

HMS Anson (pictured) has been to sea this year but only to take part in trials and returned in May

HMS Anson (pictured) has been to sea this year but only to take part in trials and returned in May

HMS Audacious has spent the last 15 months in His Majesty's Naval Base in Devonport

HMS Audacious has spent the last 15 months in His Majesty’s Naval Base in Devonport

HMS Artful (back left) is currently at HMNB Clyde

HMS Artful (back left) is currently at HMNB Clyde

HMS Ambush (pictured) has not sailed for two years

HMS Ambush (pictured) has not sailed for two years

The HMS Anson has been to sea this year but only to take part in trials and returned in May, while HMS Triumph did attempt a mission this year but it turned back at Gibraltar after off-loading its tomahawk missiles.

According to The Sun, a ship-lift to crane submarines out of the water at Faslane has been out of action for over 12 months after the firm that made the ropes closed down and the Navy could not replace them. 

Not only that, but the only suitable dry dock in HMNB Devonport is currently midway through an upgrade by contractors. 

A former sea captain told The Sun that the situation left Britain’s waters ‘spectacularly exposed’ as submarines are necessary to fight other submarines.

He said the Navy is facing the consequences of not making decisions earlier.

Russian 'underwater activity' is at its highest level since the Cold War, chief of defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said. Pictured: Sir Radakin appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Russian ‘underwater activity’ is at its highest level since the Cold War, chief of defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said. Pictured: Sir Radakin appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Former Navy chief Admiral Lord West told the newspaper: ‘Action must be taken now to start rectifying problems of submarine availability and that will involve money.

‘Awaiting the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review is not an option.’

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy has reiterated that British waters are always protected with assets and that it was making ‘significant investment’ in infrastructure bases.  

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Killer widow, 76, is found dead at Connecticut home hours before she was due to be sentenced for brutal killing of doctor husband, 84
Read More

Killer widow, 76, is found dead at Connecticut home hours before she was due to be sentenced for brutal killing of doctor husband, 84

A Connecticut widow who killed her husband has been found dead while awaiting sentencing on manslaughter charges for the brutal killing of her doctor husband. Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, 76, admitted bludgeoning her spouse Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, 84, to death in 2017. She then wrapped his body in a rug and left it in the basement of
How Kamala Harris’ warp-speed campaign launch has changed the 2024 race
Read More

How Kamala Harris’ warp-speed campaign launch has changed the 2024 race

CNN  —  The five days since Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign launched at warp speed have remade the 2024 race – and given Democrats new hope of preventing a second Donald Trump presidency. Bright green, pro-Harris memes have erupted across social media. Fundraising exploded, with Harris’ campaign saying she raised $126 million between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday
California date palm ranches reap not only fruit, but a permit to host weddings and quinceañeras
Read More

California date palm ranches reap not only fruit, but a permit to host weddings and quinceañeras

Small date palm ranch owners in Southern California’s Coachella Valley have been petitioning for permission to host special events ranging from quinceañeras to weddings on their properties California date palm ranches reap not only fruit, but a permit to host weddings and quinceañerasBy AMY TAXINAssociated PressThe Associated PressCOACHELLA, Calif. COACHELLA, Calif. (AP) — Claudia Lua