Royal Navy nuclear submarine returns to Faslane base after record-breaking deployment

A Royal Navy nuclear submarine has returned to its base on the Clyde after a record-breaking deployment.

HMS Vengeance, which carried around 140 submariners, has spent seven months on patrol.

On Sunday, the defence secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the crew home at HM Naval Base Clyde.

Royal Navy submariners were taking part in Operation Relentless, which ensures at least one nuclear-powered and armed ballistic missile submarine is at sea at all times.

As the vessel returned home to the Faslane base, another submarine is already at sea continuing the patrol to protect the UK and NATO allies.

Wes Streeting welcomed the vessel back to Faslane STV News

However, the lengthy tour has raised concerns about the condition of the country’s ageing nuclear submarine fleet and the pressures being placed on crews.

Defence secretary Wes Streeting said the aging fleet “doesn’t sit lightly with me” and paid tribute to submariners working for months on end away from home.

Streeting said: “We’ve asked the Vanguard-class to serve longer than was intended and therefore, we’ve got crews undertaking longer patrols.

“It doesn’t sit lightly with me and it makes me feel even more indebted to the crew for the service they’ve given to the country, for the committment they show, the dedication, the professionalism, the expertise.”