British nuclear-armed submarines put to sea at the same time Three of Britain's four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, capable of carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles, put to sea at the same time. for the first time in history. One of the submarines carries ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads and conducts routine patrols. The other two are either undergoing sea trials or preparing to go into service. The fourth boat, is now in Devonport undergoing extensive repairs. Officially, the British Ministry of Defense does not disclose the submarine missions, citing security reasons. A Navy source called the simultaneous departure of three boats "unusual," but declined to say why. This is a landmark event for the UK. The ongoing nuclear deterrence policy requires that at least one Trident missile submarine be at sea at all times. However, in recent years the fleet has experienced problems with the availability of ships:

British nuclear-armed submarines put to sea at the same time Three of Britain's four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, capable of carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles, put to sea at the same time. for the first time in history. One of the submarines carries ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads and conducts routine patrols. The other two are either undergoing sea trials or preparing to go into service. The fourth boat, is now in Devonport undergoing extensive repairs. Officially, the British Ministry of Defense does not disclose the submarine missions, citing security reasons. A Navy source called the simultaneous departure of three boats "unusual," but declined to say why. This is a landmark event for the UK. The ongoing nuclear deterrence policy requires that at least one Trident missile submarine be at sea at all times. However, in recent years the fleet has experienced problems with the availability of ships: