A Trafalgar class nuclear submarine has returned to the Clyde.

Last year, Trafalgar class submarine HMS Talent moved from her former home at HM Naval Base Devonport. The UK’s entire submarine fleet was to be based at Faslane by 2020.

The Royal Navy say that the vessel, which completed a multi-million pound refit at Devonport in June last year, will now join Astute-class submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, and Vanguard-class boats HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance as part of the Faslane Flotilla at HM Naval Base Clyde.

According to a Royal Navy news release:

“HM Naval Base Clyde will be home to all of the UK’s submarines by 2020.  As one of the largest employers in Scotland, it is increasing the number of people employed there from around 6,800 now to approximately 8,200 by 2022. The move of the last two Trafalgar class submarines, HM Submarines Talent and Triumph, to the Clyde in 2019 and 2020 from Devonport (Plymouth). By putting our boats and training in one place, our submariners can put down roots in Scotland knowing that they are no longer required to commute from one end of the country to another.”

In 2015, £500 million of upgrade work funding was announced HM Naval Base Clyde. The investment was be spent on ship lifts, sea walls, jetties and other major projects to support the basing of all UK submarines.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Andy
Andy
3 years ago

No future Scottish government is going to make 8,200 highly skilled people redundant. the real problem is that, for better or worse, all our eggs are in one basket which is great for efficiency but it must really simplify things for our adversaries.

What do you think a modern, non-nuclear, Russian attack on the Clyde might look like?

Pete
Pete
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Saturation Cruise missiles… Probably launched… Ironically, from submarines inside the Hebrides. You would like to think that the lessons of pearl harbour would be remembered or that a small number of absolute critical facilities could have permanent CAMM/SKY SABRE coverage.

Ryan Brewis
Ryan Brewis
3 years ago
Reply to  Pete

Issue is, AFAIK only four batteries operate Rapier and presumably will be the ones going onto Sky Sabre. One is in the Falklands so that leaves three. Say each battery is half a dozen vehicles, if one is always there that’s just twelve to provide area cover everywhere else. If there was going to be a general replacement of Starstreak by Sky Sabre as well that makes it a bit more feasible. But it doesn’t look that way.

HF
HF
3 years ago

Surprised to hear this boat had had an expensive refit so recently. I know dive time is the main constraint but these are old boats. I presume they’ll stay in service until all the Astutes are in service.