This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7892294.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nuclear subs 'collide in ocean' | Nuclear subs 'collide in ocean' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A Royal Navy nuclear submarine was involved in a collision with a French nuclear sub in the middle of the Atlantic, it has been reported. | A Royal Navy nuclear submarine was involved in a collision with a French nuclear sub in the middle of the Atlantic, it has been reported. |
| It is understood HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant were badly damaged in the crash earlier this month. | It is understood HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant were badly damaged in the crash earlier this month. |
| Despite being equipped with sonar, it seems neither vessel spotted the other, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt said. | Despite being equipped with sonar, it seems neither vessel spotted the other, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt said. |
| The UK's Ministry of Defence is not commenting on the reports, but insisted nuclear security had not been breached. | The UK's Ministry of Defence is not commenting on the reports, but insisted nuclear security had not been breached. |
| Our defence correspondent said the submarines were both "seriously-armed". | Our defence correspondent said the submarines were both "seriously-armed". |
| HMS VANGUARD Launched in 1992One of four British submarines carrying Trident nuclear missilesWeighs 16,000 tonnes, 150m (492ft) longCan carry 48 nuclear warheads on a maximum of 16 missiles A two-year refit was completed in 2007 as part of a £5bn contractDue to be replaced in 2024 | |
| The alleged incident is being investigated on both sides of the Channel, she said. | The alleged incident is being investigated on both sides of the Channel, 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. | |
| The two 150m-long (492ft) submarines were carrying around 240 sailors between them. A French naval spokesman said the collision did not result in any injuries to the crew. | The two 150m-long (492ft) submarines were carrying around 240 sailors between them. A French naval spokesman said the collision did not result in any injuries to the crew. |
| HMS Vanguard is now back at her home base at Faslane on the Firth of Clyde. | HMS Vanguard is now back at her home base at Faslane on the Firth of Clyde. |