'Super proud' families welcome Royal Navy submariners home as nuclear submarine returns from longest op

Dedicated Royal Navy submariners were graciously thanks for their service by he prime minister after spending more than half a year on deployment.

Sir Keir Starmer boarded a Vanguard-class submarine after she returned to the Clyde from the longest deployment by one of the force’s nuclear-armed vessels. The delegation took place on Saturday (April 18).

The crew were thanked for spending more than 205 days at sea. Defence secretary John Healey joined the prime minister for the event at Faslane, alongside First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins.

Sir Keir said: “As we face an increasingly volatile world, our nuclear deterrent is more important than ever. It was a privilege to be able to meet and thank those who are making sacrifices to protect our country every single day.”

Mr Healey added: “I am proud to welcome home our dedicated submariners who help to keep the UK and our NATO allies safe from the most extreme threats we face every minute of every day. The crew represents the very best of our Armed Forces and I thank them for their service.

"The families who support them make huge sacrifices to keep this country safe and I am deeply grateful to them all. Our UK nuclear deterrent is the ultimate guarantee of our security, and as the threats we face increase, it is more important now than ever.”

At more than 205 days, the crew of the submarine are understood to have taken part in the longest patrol for a nuclear deterrent submarine – spending months submerged with little contact with the outside world.

The UK’s four Vanguard-class submarines can carry Trident nuclear missiles and at least one of the vessels is out on patrol at sea constantly. They are due to be replaced by four new Dreadnought-class submarines, the first of which is expected to enter service in the 2030s.

The Ministry of Defence said “significant programmes” are under way to renew the UK’s nuclear deterrent and rigorous safety checks are carried out before any patrols. The UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent ensures that at least one nuclear-powered and armed ballistic missile submarine is always at sea to deter potential adversaries and protect our nation and NATO allies. It is a mission which the Royal Navy has fulfilled since 1969 when the Resolution Class submarines first took up the mantle.

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Around 400 families waited patiently to see their loved ones alongside HM Naval Base Clyde’s Warrant Officers and Senior Rates Mess. Among them was Emma, whose 22-year-old son was serving onboard the submarine during his first deterrent patrol. She said her son was determined to join the Royal Navy at a young age.

“Probably the most challenging part is not hearing from them during the patrol,” Emma said. “We can send 120-words to him a week, but it is all one-way and the messages are vetted for security reasons. He was a member of a Sea Cadet Unit when he was a boy and they were fantastic.

“He got to sleep onboard HMS Bristol and got involved in interesting projects like taking an engine apart and reassembling it. It was a great environment, and he decided that the Royal Navy was for him. The separation is hard, but I have to give credit to the Royal Navy Family and People Support team who have been exceptional. It really helps to know that they are there, and they have kept us informed throughout the deployment, pushing out information, and holding community events such as virtual quiz nights. I’m super proud of what he has chosen to do and that he is putting service before self as part of the Submarine Service.”

A new class of ballistic missile submarine – the Dreadnought Class – is currently under construction at Barrow-in-Furness and is expected to replace the Vanguard submarines from the early 2030s.

The First Sea Lord said: “The return from Continuous At-Sea Deterrence patrol is a moment to reflect with pride on the extraordinary dedication of the crew. These highly trained submariners have once again demonstrated the professionalism and resolve that makes the Royal Navy the finest in the world.

“But the strength of our deterrent does not rest with the crew alone. Behind every sailor and submariner is a network of family and friends whose unwavering support makes these long deployments possible. Their sacrifice is quiet, but it is profound, and it is every bit as vital to the security of the United Kingdom as the work carried out beneath the waves. To the crew and to all those who stood by them at home, well done. You have served your country with distinction, and the nation is safer for it.”