British and French nuclear submarines loaded with missiles collide underwater

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1146124/British-French-submarines-packed-nuclear-missiles-crash-underwater.html

British and French submarines armed with ballistic missiles threatened a nuclear disaster after colliding in the Atlantic, it emerged last night.
The crash is believed to have occurred after state-of-the-art technology fitted in both vessels, which is designed to detect other submarines, apparently failed completely.
Each boat is a key part of their respective countries' nuclear deterrent, ready to unleash hugely destructive weapons at a moment’s notice.
While both countries claim that security was not comprised during the collision, wide-scale enquiries are currently underway on both sides of the Channel.



http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h1UAD_qE2V5RKl4JOOVJCJHKd9Wg

British, French nuclear subs crash in Atlantic

LONDON (AFP) — A British and a French submarine, both of them nuclear-powered and carrying nuclear weapons, collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, the Sun newspaper reported on Monday.

The tabloid said HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant were both damaged in the incident, but there were no reports of damage to the nuclear sections of either vessel. The British sub has now been towed to Faslane in Scotland for repair.

Both vessels -- between them carrying about 250 sailors -- were reportedly submerged and on separate missions when they crashed on February 3 or 4.

The Ministry of Defence refuses to comment on submarine operations but a spokesman said: "We can confirm that the UK?s deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety."

HMS Vanguard, launched in 1992, is a Vanguard class SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear) vessel, one of four such submarines tasked with maintaining the country's independent nuclear deterrent. The vessel has 16 missile tubes capable of firing the Trident II D5 missile. Each missile can deliver up to 12 warheads.

Triomphant, launched in 1994, is one of four Triomphant Class submarines serving with the French Navy. It carries 16 M51 SLBM missiles and forms part of France's nuclear deterrent force.


http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/nuclear-subs-crashed-in-atlantic-report-20090216-88s5.html
Nuclear subs crashed in Atlantic: reportFebruary 16, 2009 - 1:54PM
A British and a French submarine, both of them nuclear-powered and carrying nuclear weapons, collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, the Sun newspaper reported on Monday.

The British tabloid said HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant were both damaged in the incident, but there were no reports of damage to the nuclear parts.

The British sub has now been towed to Faslane in Scotland for repair.

Both vessels - between them carrying about 250 sailors - were reportedly submerged and on separate missions when they crashed on February 3 or 4.

The UK Ministry of Defence refuses to comment on submarine operations but a spokesman said: "We can confirm that the UK's deterrent capability has remained unaffected at all times and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety."

HMS Vanguard is one of four nuclear submarines operated by the British military as part of its Trident system, and one is always on deterrent patrol.

Each vessel is 150 metres long and 13 metres in diameter, and can carry up to 48 nuclear warheads on a maximum of 16 missiles.