Nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic Ocean

After the collision, the French surrendered and England occupied Paris.

However much the Ministry of Defence was trying to play it down – or, indeed, avoid saying anything until news of it was leaked to the press – the significance of the collision between British and French nuclear missile submarines in the middle of the Atlantic must not be underestimated, say independent analysts. “Friendly submarines should not bump into each other. Unquestionably, it is a very serious incident,” said Commodore Stephen Saunders, a former senior Royal Navy officer, now editor of Jane’s Fighting Ships. Submarines, especially those carrying ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, are not supposed to be heard. Equipped with modern passive sonar, they should not be detected. However, the sonar and radar are supposed not only to try to find out what other submarines are about but also to avoid collisions. – From Guardian UK

French and British nuclear-missile submarines collided earlier this month while on routine patrol in the Atlantic, the countries’ militaries said. No one was injured. The U.K. vessel, the Vanguard, returned to its base at Faslane in Scotland on Feb. 14, the Ministry of Defence in London said today. The French military said Feb. 6 that Le Triomphant, part of France’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent fleet, had collided with an unidentified object and returned to its home port of Brest under its own power. French military spokesmen at the time declined to give further details. – From bloomberg

British and French nuclear submarines collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, officials admitted Monday, confirming an embarrassing accident involving highly sensitive technology. Confirming media reports of the incident involving Britain’s HMS Vanguard and France’s Le Triomphant, Britain’s First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band said the submarines “were conducting routine … patrols in the Atlantic Ocean. “The submarines came into contact at very low speed… No injuries occurred,” he said in a brief statement to reporters. “There was no compromise to nuclear safety.” – From AFP