Nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic | UK news | The Guardian Nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic Damaged British and French vessels return to base after crash deep below ocean's surface HMS Vanguard before it suffered 'scrapes' in a collision with a French submarine. Photograph: Chris Bacon/PA Monday 16 February 2009 05.42 EST First published on Monday 16 February 2009 05.42 EST Close This article is 7 years old A Royal Navy nuclear submarine and a French vessel have been damaged in a collision deep below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant, which were carrying nuclear missiles on routine patrols, are reported to have collided while submerged on 3 or 4 February. Between them they had about 250 sailors on board. The Ministry of Defence initially refused to confirm the incident, saying it was not policy to comment on submarine operations. This afternoon the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, issued a statement saying the two vessels hit each other while travelling at very low speeds and no one was injured. "We can confirm that the capability remained unaffected and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety," he said.

The MoD said the Vanguard returned to its base in Faslane, Scotland, with only "scrapes". Defence officials told theguardian.com the two submarines collided in what they said was an extraordinary accident. "They can't see each other in the water," one official said, raising questions about the submarines' sonar and why they did not detect one another. Opposition parties asked how the accident was possible. The SNP's Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, said: "The UK Ministry of Defence needs to explain how it is possible for a submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction to collide with another submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction in the middle of the world's second-largest ocean. "In contrast to MoD secrecy, the French military authorities publicised details of the incident on a website. The MoD cannot hide behind operational secrecy and must make a statement on this as a priority." The shadow defence secretary, Liam Fox, called the incident "extremely worrying". The Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, Nick Harvey, said: "While the British nuclear fleet has a good safety record, if there were ever to be a bang it would be a mighty big one. The public entrust this equipment to the government confident that all possible precautions are being taken.

Now that this incident is public knowledge, the people of Britain, France and the rest of the world need to be reassured this can never happen again and that lessons are being learned." France's defence ministry said in a brief statement on 6 February that the Triomphant had struck "a submerged object (probably a container)" during a return journey from a patrol, damaging the sonar dome on the front of the submarine. It said no crew members were injured and the nuclear security of the submarine had not been compromised. Today the ministry confirmed that another sub was involved, saying: "They briefly came into contact at a very low speed while submerged." After the accident, the French submarine returned to its base on L'Ile Longue, near Brest, under its own power and escorted by a frigate. Vanguard, one of Britain's four V-class submarines that make up the Trident nuclear deterrent, each of which is capable of carrying up to 16 missiles, was said to have visible dents on its hull as it was towed home at the weekend. Inquiries are under way on both sides of the Channel.

Kate Hudson, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament chairwoman, described the incident as "a nuclear ­nightmare of the highest order". "The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons on board, could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed," she said. "The dents reportedly visible on the British sub show the boats were no more than a couple of seconds away from total catastrophe." Hudson said it was the first time since the cold war that two nuclear-armed submarines were known to have collided. "These dangers are inherent whilst the British government maintains its 1960s policy of having at least one nuclear ­weapons submarine sailing round the Atlantic 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," she said. "HMS Vanguard is likely to be confined to port for months with a multimillion-pound repair bill. Gordon Brown should seize this opportunity to end continuous patrols." Le Triomphant, which entered service in 1997, carries 16 nuclear missiles and is one of four nuclear-armed submarines in the French fleet.

Stephane Lhomme, a spokesman for the French anti-nuclear group Sortir du Nucleaire, said its network of activists was on alert for any signs of radioactive leaks near French shores. "This reminds us that we could have a new catastrophe with a nuclear submarine at any moment. It is a risk that exists during missions but also in port," he said. "These are mobile nuclear reactors." British, French nuclear submarines collide - CNN.com British, French nuclear submarines collide Story Highlights British, French nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic, defense ministries confirm Accident occured during "routine patrols," defense ministries say Both vessels, HMS Vanguard, Le Triomphant, armed with nuclear warheads Anti-nuclear group: Incident is "a nuclear nightmare of the highest order" LONDON, England (CNN) -- A British Royal Navy nuclear submarine and its French equivalent collided while on operations in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, defense ministries in Paris and London confirmed Monday. The British Royal Navy submarine HMS Vanguard. Both vessels, HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant, were armed with nuclear warheads and suffered damage but were able to return to port under their own power following the collision.

"Two "SNLE" (nuclear submarines), one French and the other British, were, a few days ago, on standard patrols in the Atlantic. They briefly came in contact in a very slow speed while they were immersed," the French Ministry of Defense said in a statement. "There is no casualty or injury among the crew. Neither the nuclear deterrent mission nor the nuclear security have been compromised." In an earlier press release issued on February 6, the Ministry of Defense said the vessel's sonar dome had been damaged in a collision. The vessel was able to return to its base at Ile Longue in Brittany, northwest France, accompanied by a frigate. The UK's Ministry of Defence also confirmed the incident. In a statement, the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathan Band said the collision occurred during "routine national patrols." Watch Band describe "slow-speed impact" » "Both submarines remained safe and no injuries occurred. We can confirm that the capability remained unaffected and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety," Band said. HMS Vanguard returned to its home base at Faslane in Scotland on February 14.

The UK's Sun newspaper reported that dents and scrapes were visible on the vessel's hull as it was towed into dock by a tugboat. Both the UK and French nuclear deterrent operations depend on complete secrecy, despite both countries' membership of NATO. But naval analyst Richard Cobbold told CNN that procedures would be in place to ensure that French and British submarines were routinely kept apart. "Either one of these submarines was doing something different or somebody made a mistake -- but we don't know that," Cobbold said. Watch why the collision is an embarrassment for both the British and the French » Both submarines were equipped with state-of-the-art sonar technology, but Cobbold said it was possible that neither was aware of the close proximity of the other vessel. "Modern submarines are very, very quiet. In many types of water conditions they might not hear the approach of another submarine," he said. But with both nations keeping at least one nuclear-armed submarine constantly at sea for the past 40 years, he said it was no surprise that they had eventually ended up in the same area of ocean. "Even in an ocean the size of the North Atlantic the submarines are eventually going to be in the same patch of water at the same time," he said.

In a statement issued Monday, the UK-based Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament described the incident as "a nuclear nightmare of the highest order." "The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons onboard could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed," said CND chair Kate Hudson. "The dents reportedly visible on the British sub show the boats were no more than a couple of seconds away from total catastrophe." Hudson said the incident was the most serious involving a nuclear submarine since the sinking of the Russian Kursk in 2000 with the loss of the vessel's entire 118-man crew. Don't Miss Navy says sub leaked radiation since 2006 HMS Vanguard, which was launched in 1992, is one of four submarines which make up the UK's nuclear deterrent. Its firepower includes 16 Trident II D5 missiles capable of delivering multiple warheads to targets up to a range of 4,000 nautical miles. The 150-meter vessel carries a crew of 141 and is powered by a uranium-fueled pressurized water reactor.

Vanguard Class submarines routinely spend weeks at a time underwater on patrol in the North Atlantic. But contact with naval commanders and government officials, including the defense secretary and the prime minister, is maintained at all times by a "comprehensive network of communications installations," the Royal Navy Web site said. Le Triomphant was launched in 1994 and entered service in 1997 with a crew of 111, according to the GlobalSecurity.org Web site. Its weapons include 16 M45 missiles capable of launching multiple nuclear warheads. The UK has maintained a nuclear arsenal since 1956, with at least one nuclear-armed submarine somewhere at sea continuously since 1969. In 2006 the government approved plans to develop a new generation of nuclear weapon-carrying submarines which is due to be ready to replace the Vanguard Class by 2024. But the program, which is expected to cost around £20 billion ($29 billion), has been heavily criticized by anti-nuclear campaigners.

BBC NEWS | UK | Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic HMS Vanguard is now back at its home base at Faslane on the Clyde A Royal Navy nuclear submarine was involved in a collision with a French nuclear sub in the middle of the Atlantic, the MoD has confirmed. HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant were badly damaged in the crash in heavy seas earlier this month. First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band said the submarines came into contact at low speed and no injuries were reported. Both the UK and France insisted nuclear security had not been compromised. Factfile: HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the incident was "incredibly embarrassing" for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). HMS Vanguard returned to its home base Faslane on the Firth of Clyde under her own power on 14 February. "Very visible dents and scrapes" could be seen as tugs towed her in to the port on the final stage of the journey, our correspondent said.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band confirms the collision took place The submarines are equipped with sonar to detect other vessels nearby but our correspondent said it might be the case that the anti-sonar devices, meant to hide the submarines from enemies, were "too effective". "This is clearly a one-in-a-million chance when you think about how big the Atlantic is," she said. The two submarines are key parts of each nation's nuclear deterrent, and would have been carrying missiles, though both the UK and France have insisted there was no danger of a nuclear incident. They were carrying around 240 sailors between them. A French naval spokesman said the collision did not result in any injuries to the crew. Le Triomphant is based at L'Ile Longue near Brest, north-west France. HMS Vanguard arrived back in Faslane on Saturday. On 6 February, France's defence ministry had said that Le Triomphant "collided with an immersed object (probably a container)" when coming back from patrolling, and that the vessel's sonar dome was damaged. But in a subsequent statement, it admitted that the collision between the two submarines took place. "They briefly came into contact at a very low speed while submerged," the statement added.

'Large ocean' Retired Commodore Stephen Saunders, editor of Jane's Fighting Ships, said the cause of the collision appeared to be procedural rather than technical. "These submarines should not have been in the same place at the same time," he added. If there were ever to be a bang it would be a mighty big one Nick Harvey Q&A: Submarine collision Nuclear engineer John Large told the BBC that navies often used the same "nesting grounds". "Both navies want quiet areas, deep areas, roughly the same distance from their home ports. So you find these station grounds have got quite a few submarines, not only French and Royal Navy but also from Russia and the United States." In 1992, the US nuclear submarine USS Baton Rouge was struck by a surfacing Russian nuclear sub in the Barents Sea. When the nuclear submarine HMS Trafalgar ran aground during a training exercise off the coast of Skye in 2002, the damage was estimated at ï¿½5m ($7m). HMS Vanguard completed a two-year refit completed in 2007 as part of a ï¿½5bn contract, and is not due to be replaced until 2024.

Politicians have demanded more information on the latest incident. Lib Dem defence spokesman Nick Harvey has called for an immediate internal inquiry with some of the conclusions made public. "While the British nuclear fleet has a good safety record, if there were ever to be a bang it would be a mighty big one," he said. "Now that this incident is public knowledge, the people of Britain, France and the rest of the world need to be reassured this can never happen again and that lessons are being learned." Meanwhile, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson has called for a government statement. "The Ministry of Defence needs to explain how it is possible for a submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction to collide with another submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction in the middle of the world's second-largest ocean," he said. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament described the collision as "a nuclear nightmare of the highest order".

CND chair Kate Hudson said: "The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons onboard, could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed." HMS VANGUARD French, British Nuclear Submarines Collide in Atlantic | Fox News French, British Nuclear Submarines Collide in Atlantic Published February 16, 2009 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Email Print LONDON – Nuclear-armed submarines from Britain and France collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, authorities acknowledged Monday — touching off new concerns about the safety of the world's deep sea missile fleets. The HMS Vanguard, the oldest of Britain's current nuclear-armed submarine fleet, and the French Le Triomphant submarine, which was also carrying nuclear missiles, both suffered minor damage in the collision. No crew members were reported injured. Britain's most senior sailor, First Sea Lord, Adm. Jonathon Band, said the underwater crash posed no risk to the safety of the submarines' nuclear reactors and nuclear missiles. But he offered no explanation of how the rare incident might have occurred. "The two submarines came into contact at very low speed," Band said in a statement.

"Both submarines remained safe." France's defense ministry said the ballistic missile submarines had been carrying out routine patrols when they collided. "They briefly came into contact at a very low speed while submerged. There were no injuries. Neither their nuclear deterrence missions nor their safety were affected," France's defense ministry said Monday in a statement. The Vanguard — which is capable of carrying up to 16 nuclear-armed Trident missiles — was towed back to a submarine base in Scotland with visible dents and scrapes, the BBC reported. The Le Triomphant suffered damaged to a sonar dome in the front of the submarine but returned under its own power to its base on L'Ile Longue on France's western tip, according to the French military. Neither France nor Britain would confirm the exact date of the collision, but said it took place earlier this month. France issued a brief statement Feb. 6 saying the Le Triomphant had struck "a submerged object" that was probably a shipping container. Naval experts were amazed by the collision. "This really shouldn't have happened at all," said Stephen Saunders, a retired British Royal Navy commodore and the editor of Jane's Fighting Ships.

"It's a very serious incident, and I find it quite extraordinary." He said while NATO countries let each other know what general area of the Atlantic they are operating in, neither submarine would have had a precise position for the other. Saunders said submarines don't always turn on their radar systems or make their presence obvious to other shipping. "The whole point is to go and hide in a big chunk of ocean and not be found. They tend to go around very slowly and not make much noise," he said. Lawmakers and disarmament advocates demanded an explanation of how the submarines could have failed to detect each other. Britain's government "needs to explain how it is possible for a submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction to collide with another submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction in the middle of the world's second-largest ocean," lawmaker Angus Robertson of the opposition Scottish National Party said. Stephane Lhomme, a spokesman for the French anti-nuclear group Sortir du Nucleaire, said its activists were on alert for any signs of radioactive leaks near French shores. "This reminds us that we could have a new catastrophe with a nuclear submarine at any moment. It is a risk that exists during missions but also in port," he said.

"These are mobile nuclear reactors." Britain's Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to end his country's nuclear submarine patrols of the Atlantic. "This is a nuclear nightmare of the highest order," said Kate Hudson, the group's chair. "The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons onboard, could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed." Advertisement British and French nuclear submarine collision 'as serious as sinking of Kursk' - Telegraph Defence British and French nuclear submarine collision 'as serious as sinking of Kursk' The collision of two British and French nuclear submarines was described last night as the most severe incidents involving nuclear submarines since the sinking of the Russian Kursk. HMS Vanguard, was involved in a French underwater collision with a French submarine Photo: MOD By Caroline Gammell and Thomas Harding 4:08PM GMT 16 Feb 2009 HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant were both damaged in the deep underwater crash in the middle of the Atlantic, which is expected to cost up to £50 million in repairs.

Dents and scrapes were clearly visible on each submarine, while the French vessel completely destroyed its sonar dome in the incident which took place in heavy seas on the night of February 3 and 4. The Vanguard, Britain's first Trident class submarine, returned to Faslane on the Clyde on Saturday, while Le Triomphant took three days to get home to L'Ile Longue, near Brest in north west France. Investigations were launched on both sides of the Channel as the two countries tried to work out how such a seemingly simple error could have been made. Although both are fitted with state-of-the-art technology aimed at detecting other submarines, it appears neither saw the other until it was too late. Related Articles American submarine was retired a year after fatal accident 21 Jun 2011 One theory being considered was that their respective anti-sonar devices - which hide submarines - were just too effective in concealing one from the other. Only two people out of a 135-strong crew on a nuclear Trident submarine such as Vanguard know the precise location of the vessel, the captain and the navigator.

A senior British submariner source said: "We are embarrassed about this but let's see what the inquiry shows." First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathan Band said the submarines collided at low speed. "Two submerged SSBN, one French and the other UK, were conducting routine national patrols in the Atlantic Ocean," he said. "Recently, the two submarines came into contact at very low speed. Both submarines remained safe and no injuries occurred. "We can confirm that the capability remained unaffected and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety." A French naval source said the £50 million figure for repairs was "conservative" and would be met by the French and British taxpayer. The badly damaged sonar dome should have detected the Vanguard but Le Triomphant's crew of 101 claimed to have "neither saw nor heard anything". A French naval spokesman said: "The collision did not result in injuries among the crew and did not jeopardise nuclear security at any moment." Kate Hudson, from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said the collision could have unleashed a radioactive disaster: "This is a nuclear nightmare of the highest order.

"The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons onboard, could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed. "This is the most severe incident involving a nuclear submarine since the sinking of the Kursk and the first time since the Cold War that two nuclear-armed subs are known to have collided." The Kursk sank in 2000 with the loss of its entire 118-man crew. Miss Hudson called on the Government to bring an end to its policy of deploying at least one nuclear submarine at sea at all times. SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson demanded a Government statement into what went wrong. "The UK Ministry of Defence needs to explain how it is possible for a submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction to collide with another submarine carrying weapons of mass destruction in the middle of the world's second-largest ocean." Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey called for an internal inquiry with the partial publication of its conclusions to reassure the public.

"Now that this incident is public knowledge, the people of Britain, France and the rest of the world need to be reassured this can never happen again and that lessons are being learned." Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox, said the crash showed the inherent danger of military operations. "For two submarines to collide whilst apparently unaware of each other's presence is extremely worrying. "Hopefully lessons have been learned to prevent anything like this ever happening again in the future." The UK submarine service has been badly undermanned for some time with technicians in particular shortage. The Vanguard, which went into operation in 1994, is one of Britain's four nuclear-powered submarines. Alongside Le Triomphant, it is capable of carrying up to 16 nuclear-armed Trident missiles. A senior naval officer said: “Manning in the submarine service is in a parlous state and is recognised by the Navy Board as a serious risk to the maintenance of the strategic deterrent and the nuclear submarine service. “At the moment is it not a pretty picture and I am not convinced it will get better in the short term.” Shortages are particularly evident among Warfare Officers and in the Strategic Weapons Systems department.

French sub unaware it rammed Royal Navy vessel in mid-Atlantic nuclear crash – Cervantes by ab French sub unaware it rammed Royal Navy vessel in mid-Atlantic nuclear crash HMS Vanguard returned to its base in Faslane, western Scotland, on Saturday with dents and scrapes on its hull France’s Le Triomphant, a nuclear missile submarine, is seen in this undated photo released by the French Navy on Monday. A British nuclear submarine collided with a French sub in the Atlantic because sophisticated antisonar equipment made them undetectable to each other, it was claimed yesterday. The French submarine Le Triomphant remained unaware that it had rammed and damaged HMS Vanguard until days later, when it was informed by the Royal Navy. Both vessels were carrying nuclear ballistic warheads while on secret patrols when they crashed this month. Official inquiries have started in Britain and France, amid concerns regarding the sharing of military information between the allied navies. The French Navy claimed this month that the bow sonar dome of Le Triomphant was probably damaged in a collision with a submerged shipping container while returning from patrol. It only discovered that it had hit a British submarine after one of the regular exchanges of information with the Royal Navy.

Nato countries exchange details about the areas and depths in which their submarines will operate during patrols. France has opted out of Nato’s military command, however, so does not share detailed information, although it normally provides some data about its submarine operations. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, said that the collision happened at low speed and none of the 240 crew on board the submarines was injured. “Two submerged [ballistic nuclear submarines], one French and the other UK, were conducting routine national patrols in the Atlantic Ocean,” he said. “Both submarines remained safe and no injuries occurred. We can confirm that the capability remained unaffected and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety.” The collision is understood to have occurred on February 3 or 4. HMS Vanguard returned to its base in Faslane, western Scotland, on Saturday with dents and scrapes on its hull. Le Triomphant took three days to limp home to port in Brest, northwest France, with extensive damage to its Thales DMUX 80 sonar. Repairs to the two vessels are reported to have been estimated at £50 million.

The French Navy confirmed that the collision took place in the Atlantic on a routine patrol and at great depth but would not disclose the location for security reasons. Captain Jérôme Erulin said that such collisions were extremely unlikely but always possible between two submarines that are designed to evade detection. “It was a brief contact at slow speed,” he said. “The slow speed at the moment of the incident is their normal patrol speed. There was no human error.” A Royal Navy source said that the chances of two submarines colliding in the mid-Atlantic were very small. He said that submarines used “water space management” to separate themselves both geographically and in depth from other vessels. “It is remarkably difficult to detect a modern submarine with sonar and we work very hard with our own submarines, as do our allies, in making them as quiet as possible so they are not detectable.” Commodore Stephen Saunders, editor of Jane’s Fighting Ships, said: “This is a very serious incident. There are procedural issues that need addressing.

We should not have submarines of friendly nations operating in the same area at the same time.” HMS Vanguard, which was launched in 1992, is one of four British submarines capable of carrying up to 16 Trident ballistic nuclear missiles with up to eight warheads. At least one of the submarines is on patrol at any time. The 14,335-tonne Le Triomphant, which entered service in 1997, also carries up to 16 nuclear missiles, with six warheads, and is one of four nuclear-armed submarines in the French fleet. Vice-Admiral John McAnally, president of the Royal Naval Association, said that it was a “one in a million chance” that the two vessels collided. He said: “It would be very unusual on deterrent patrol to use active sonar because that would expose the submarine to detection.” Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said that the crash showed the inherent danger of military operations. “For two submarines to collide, apparently unaware of each other’s presence, is extremely worrying. Hopefully, lessons have been learnt.” Kate Hudson, from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said: “This is a nuclear nightmare of the highest order.

The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons on board, could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed.” John Large, an independent nuclear analyst who advised the Russian Government after its Kursk submarine sank in 2000, said that the incident could have been far worse. “The real risk is if you have a fire on board caused by the impact,” he said. “Each warhead has about 30kg-50kg [66lb to 110lb] of high explosive around it. That would burn and your plutonium core would burn as well. That would disperse into the atmosphere and be a major problem.” The incident is the most serious underwater collision since the USS San Francisco hit an undersea mountain in the Pacific head-on in 2005, killing one sailor and injuring 24 others. Lee Willett, of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, said that Britain and France would be very reticent to share information on what their nuclear submarines were up to. “Despite how close these relations are, they are the ultimate tools of national survival in the event of war,” he said.

__________ BBC NEWS | UK | Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic Page last updated at 13:33 GMT, Monday, 16 February 2009 Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic Advertisement A Royal Navy nuclear submarine has collided with a French nuclear submarine in the middle of the Atlantic. The vessels, HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant, were both badly damaged but officials say no radioactivity was released. Ben Geoghegan reports. Copyright © 2016 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant submarine collision | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant submarine collision 204,342pages on Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising.

We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. HMS Vanguard with tugs in 1994 A Triomphant class submarine (here, Vigilant ) The submarines HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant collided in the Atlantic Ocean in the night between 3–4 February 2009. Both are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines . The Royal Navy 's HMS Vanguard and the French Navy 's Le Triomphant both sustained damage, but no injuries or radioactivity releases were reported. [1] At the time of the collision, both vessels were submerged and, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, moving "at very low speed"; both are equipped with active and passive sonar , although only the latter is used on an operational patrol.

[2] Contents Main articles: HMS Vanguard (S28) and Triomphant (S 616) HMS Vanguard [3] was on a routine patrol in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean with a crew of 135, and can carry a maximum load of 16 Trident 2 D5 ballistic missiles and carry up to 48 warheads in total. [1] [2] Triomphant was returning from a tour of duty when the incident occurred; it was carrying a crew of 111, and capable of being equipped with 16 M45 ballistic missiles with up to 48 warheads in total. [4] [5] Collision Edit On the night between 3–4 February 2009, the two submarines collided in the Atlantic Ocean. [5] On 6 February 2009, the French Ministry of Defence reported that Triomphant "collided with an immersed object (probably a container)" [1] [6] The UK Ministry of Defence initially would not comment that the incident took place.

[5] On 16 February 2009, the incident was confirmed [1] by First Sea Lord Sir Jonathon Band , in response to a question at an unrelated event. Band said that the collision occurred at low speed, and that there had been no injuries. [1] The French Ministry of Defence also stated that a collision "at a very low speed" had occurred, with no casualties. [7] Both vessels were damaged. Vanguard received damage to the outer casing in the area of the missile compartment on the starboard (right) side. [1] Triomphant was initially said to have received damage to the active sonar dome under her bow, [8] indicating that Triomphant ran into Vanguard from above and amidship, but was later reported as having received impacts to three parts of her structure, with her conning tower and the starboard sail plane attached to the conning tower visibly deformed by the incident. [9] According to the Daily Telegraph, the cost of repairing the damage to both boats was expected to amount to up to £50 million.

[10] Both vessels returned to home bases under their own power, Vanguard to HMNB Clyde (Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde) in the Firth of Clyde, on 14 February 2009 and Triomphant to Île Longue in Brittany, escorted by a frigate as a normal procedure, [6] although it is unclear whether this was an unplanned return following the incident. Possible cause Edit Media reports have discussed two possible aspects contributing to the incident; geographic separation of the submarine operating areas (known as waterspace management), and the ability of each submarine to detect the other using acoustic methods. While the use of active sonar may have revealed the position of one submarine to the other, it is unlikely either boat was operating its active sonar at the time of the collision. Ballistic missile submarines are designed to conceal themselves while on patrol, and the use of active sonar would immediately reveal the boat's position. Several media outlets stated that because both submarines are equipped with modern anechoic tile coverings over their hulls and were travelling at low speed, it would have been unlikely for either submarine to have detected the presence of the other while using only their passive sonar systems.

[1] [3] [11] Further, as reported by Time magazine, submarines take advantage of environmental characteristics, such as ocean currents of varying temperatures ( thermoclines ) or varying salinity ( haloclines ), to avoid detection. The British Broadcasting Corporation has speculated that though highly improbable considering the vastness of the areas in which they operate, the actual areas used by ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) are in reality limited, and overlap (alleged to often be between Malin Head and Rockall Bank ). They have claimed that the use of these areas by submarines of the British , French and Russian navies has increased the risk of accidental collision. [1] Several media outlets have referred to comments by retired Royal Navy Commodore Stephen Saunders, editor of the Jane's Fighting Ships , where he described the incident as "very serious" and said it was time for France and Britain to coordinate their submarine operations more actively, suggesting that the use of operating areas is not communicated between operators of SSBNs; France, the UK and the United States or that communication procedures were not effective. "I would have thought it possible to at least arrange to be in different parts of the ocean without compromising operational security," said Saunders.

"No doubt there are a number of technical issues to be investigated, but the root of the problem appears to be procedural." [11] [12] This position appears to be corroborated by Admiral Sandy Woodward, a former commander of the Royal Navy's submarine force. In a commentary article for The Independent newspaper, he said that whilst it is not known whether the UK and France exchange information now, it was not the case when he served as Flag Officer Submarines in 1984. He recalls that his French counterpart proposed that London and Paris share information on SSBN patrols, precisely to avoid an incident at sea, but no agreement was reached at the time on achieving that. [13] Aftermath Edit With the delayed acknowledgement of the accident, both the British and French ministries of defence have been accused of attempting a cover-up of the collision. [14] The delay in reporting the accident has also been criticised in the international press. [15] There has been no official explanation for the event. British MP Nick Harvey has demanded an official inquiry into the issue.

[16] Kate Hudson, chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament , said, "The collision of two submarines, both with nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons onboard could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed". [17] However, Band said that there "was no compromise to nuclear safety". [18] Hervé Morin , France's Minister of Defence , said that they "face an extremely simple technological problem, which is that these submarines are not detectable". [19] British and French nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic - Telegraph British and French nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic Two British and French nuclear submarines collided in heavy seas in the Atlantic. HMS Vanguard, was involved in a French underwater collision with a French submarine Photo: MOD By Aislinn Simpson 6:30AM GMT 16 Feb 2009 HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant are understood to have both been severely damaged in the underwater accident earlier this month. Both are fitted with state-of-the-art technology aimed at detecting other submarines, but it apparently failed completely.

Although both France and Britain insist that security was not compromised during the collision and there was no danger of a nuclear incident, inquiries are now under way in both countries. Each boat is a key part of their respective county's nuclear deterrent, ready to unleash their destructive weapons at a moment's notice. French Navy sources confirm that Le Triomphant, one of four strategic nuclear submarines of the so-called "Force de Frappe", was returning from a 70 day tour of duty when the incident occurred. Related Articles US Navy cruiser collides with nuclear submarine 14 Oct 2012 It happened in heavy seas, and in the middle of the night between February 3 and 4, and left Le Triomphant's sonar dome all but destroyed. The sonar dome should have detected the Vanguard but Le Triomphant's crew of 101 claimed to have "neither saw nor heard anything". The French tried to play down the collision, with a Navy spokesman saying: "The collision did not result in injuries among the crew and did not jeopardise nuclear security at any moment." The Ministry of Defence would not even confirm it had taken place.

A spokesman said: "It is MoD policy not to comment on submarine operational matters, but we can confirm that the UK's deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety." Le Triomphant took at least three days to limp back to her home port, while HMS Vanguard returned to her home base in Faslane, in Scotland. With a complement of 135 crew, she is the lead boat of the Vanguard class of submarines which carry Trident ballistic missiles around the world. Le Triomphant is also the lead ship in her own class of Triomphant nuclear submarines. Each carries 16 M45 ballistic missiles, weighs 35 tons each, carries six warheads and has a range of around 5,000 miles. France's Atlantic coast is notorious for being a "submarine graveyard" because of the number of underwater craft, mainly German U-boats, sunk in the area during the Second World War. British and French nuclear submarines in Atlantic collision | UK news | The Guardian Close This article is 7 years old The good news was it proved that the British nuclear missile submarine was virtually undetectable.

The bad news was that HMS Vanguard was rather too undetectable, apparently moving so stealthily that it collided with a French nuclear sub in the middle of the Atlantic. The Ministry of Defence was under intense pressure last night to explain how the Vanguard, which can carry 48 nuclear warheads on 16 missiles, had managed to crash into Le Triomphant - payload 16 missiles - in an incident which some experts say could have caused a nuclear catastrophe. The underwater collision happened earlier this month and was at low speed, and no injuries were reported among the total of 240 sailors on the two boats. However some damage was done to both, though officials stressed that none of their nuclear equipment had been damaged. Independent analysts, however, described it as "a very serious incident" and there were widespread calls for a full investigation. It happened on 6 February, yet it was not until news leaked to the Sun newspaper yesterday that the British public was made aware of it. The MoD, unsurprisingly, played it down. However, the potential for harm in such an incident forced Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the first sea lord, to make a statement.

Two submerged submarines, one French, one British, were "conducting routine national patrols in the Atlantic Ocean", he said. They "came into contact at very low speed ... nuclear safety had not been compromised" and the Vanguard returned to its base in Faslane on the Clyde under its own power on 14 February. It appears the French did not even realise Le Triomphant, based at L'Ile Longue, near Brest, had hit another sub. On 6 February, France's defence ministry had said that the boat "collided with an immersed object (probably a container)" when coming back from patrolling, and that its sonar dome was damaged. The French submarine is understood to have hit the side of the Vanguard, which returned to its base with what the MoD called "nicks and scrapes". It might have been much worse. "Friendly submarines should not bump into each other. Unquestionably it's a very serious incident," said Commodore Stephen Saunders, a former RN officer now editor of Jane's Fighting Ships.

Lee Willett, of the Royal United Service Institute, said: "It was almost a freak occurrence." Officials and independent analysts explained that the subs, equipped with passive sonar, are designed to be undetectable. They are also not very maneouvrable. The accident was described as very bad luck. However, it raises questions which the urgent inquiries being conducted by the French and British navies will have to address. Nato navies liaise and "deconflict" to ensure their boats, even those on the most sensitive, secret, missions do not find themselves in the same area, according to Saunders. Though President Nicolas Sarkozy wants France to rejoin Nato's integrated structure, it is not there yet. Some analysts expressed surprise the respective navy liaison officers did not inform each other of their whereabouts. John Large, a nuclear engineer and consultant, said navies often used the same "nesting grounds" for their subs. However, defence officials said no country would share its ultimate secret, its "independent deterrent", what one called the "crown jewels". Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said it was a "relief" that no one had been injured in such an "extremely worrying" incident.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament described the collision as "a nuclear nightmare of the highest order" that "could have released vast amounts of radiation and scattered scores of nuclear warheads across the seabed". Nick Harvey, the Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, said: "While the British nuclear fleet has a good record, if there were ever to be a bang it would be a mighty big one. The public entrust this equipment to the government confident that all possible precautions are being taken." SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, called on the MoD to explain how it was that two subs carrying weapons of mass destruction could possibly have collided "in the middle of the world's second-largest ocean". • This article was amended on Monday 23 February 2009. The caption to a picture of HMS Vanguard said it showed the Vanguard sailing up the Clyde river after a collision with another submarine eight days previously. In fact, the picture was taken before the collision. This has been corrected.

Question: What was the name of the British submarine which collided with the French submarine Le Triomphant in February 2009?
Answer: HMS Vanguard