French, UK nuclear subs in Atlantic collision

[Darsh]

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 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 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.

http://www.france24.com/en/20090216-...uclear-weapons

[removeduser_487563287433]

Clearly it was the Frenchmen's fault.

[Faramir D'Andunie]

I suddenly get the idea of two submarine commanders playing "chicken" with each other in my head.(as in sailing in a colission course and wait to see who will turn to avoid it first)

We should be thankfull nothing serious came as a result.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Well I guess they can be secure in the knowledge that their SSBNs are both really goddamn quiet.

[hellheaven1987]

It is not Year of Collision right?? First satellites then now nuclear-sub... What's next?? Earth and Mars in Solar Sytem collision??

[Darsh]

this error was done because the camouflage of the 2 submarines are too performants.

[Zephyrus]

Clearly it was the Frenchmen's fault.

[Holger Danske]

Only in the Atlantic....

[hellheaven1987]

Only in the Atlantic....

May be later on Russia would annouce one of their sub was missing in the location of collision... (oh wait, I forget it is not Red October)

[Musthavename]

Out of interest, how's the French media covering this?

Over on our side, switch on C4 News, and it's "What a farce! Our nuclear deterrant running around without sonar!" and then loads of complaints about what a "disgrace" it is. Surprisingly, blaming us more than the French (which by British standard's is unusual ).

[The Devil's Sergeant]

Too bad both boats didn't go down with all hands. The world would have been a slightly safer from holocaust at the hands of the world's worst human rights violators.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Too bad both boats didn't go down with all hands. The world would have been a slightly safer from holocaust at the hands of the world's worst human rights violators.

Man that's edgy as right there.

[Heinz Guderian]

Too bad both boats didn't go down with all hands. The world would have been a slightly safer from holocaust at the hands of the world's worst human rights violators.

I'm assuming you dont support The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmanent (your avatar)?

[Daneboy]

Too bad both boats didn't go down with all hands. The world would have been a slightly safer from holocaust at the hands of the world's worst human rights violators.

Huh!! WOW!

That´s deep.

I'Il take it any way I can get it.

One should always be carefull with such statements.

[The Devil's Sergeant]

Huh!! WOW!

That´s deep.

Only if they go down past the continental shelf

One should always be carefull with such statements.

I'm thinking really big picture here.

[Gertrudius]

I'm thinking really big picture here.

And wishing both submarines had been destroyed along with their crews is part of the "really big picture" how?

Seems to me like it would not have had any long term effect, considering neither the UK or France has a strong nuclear submarine program.

Take it easy,

[The Devil's Sergeant]

And wishing both submarines had been destroyed along with their crews is part of the "really big picture" how?

Seems to me like it would not have had any long term effect, considering neither the UK or France has a strong nuclear submarine program.

Take it easy,

The more that sink and the more sailors lost means nations would be less willing to build those weapons systems in the future.

Really what does the UK or France need SSBNs for anyway? Are they afraid the USA is going to sneak attack them? Because they are the only ones that could. If anyone else attacked them the USA would be there for them.


THe UK and France (especially France) are like toddlers running around with scissors. Its not like they will ever actually shoot those puppies off and they are only going to hurt themselves with all of those weapons.

[Daneboy]

I'm thinking really big picture here.

Yah, really, really,really, really, really big picture, I gues.

Hm...Call me humane, but I would have mourned the needles loss of life.

[danzig]

Too bad both boats didn't go down with all hands. The world would have been a slightly safer from holocaust at the hands of the world's worst human rights violators.

Sigh, yet another one of these types of posters....

[Boyar Son]

Too bad both boats didn't go down with all hands. The world would have been a slightly safer from holocaust at the hands of the world's worst human rights violators.

pacifist, so if someone punches you right in your face & makes out with your mom, WTF do u intend to do?

(& there are no telephones or cellphones nearby)