5 Of The Most Advanced Nuclear Submarines In The World – SlashGear

The United Kingdom launched the HMS Vanguard in 1993, and in the years since four Vanguard-class submarines have acted as the nation’s primary undersea patrol vessel. Vanguard-class submarines are powered by nuclear reactors and offer ballistic missile engagement options. These vessels are one of the U.K.’s primary nuclear deterrents and are therefore equipped with nuclear warheads. 

Vanguard-class submarines carry 16 Trident II D5 missiles with as many as 12 MIRV warheads (resulting in up to 192 individual nuclear munitions). The vessels operate four torpedo tubes and carry Spearfish torpedos for underwater or surface combat requirements. The submarines can reach a speed of around 25 knots, placing them squarely within competitive standards with other nuclear submarines that traverse the depths of the Earth’s oceans. 

While the Vanguard-class submarines are a critical piece of the United Kingdom’s defensive backbone, the newest of the four vessels was commissioned in 1999, some 20-plus years ago. In contrast, the United States, Russia, and others are rolling out new vessels to handle deterrence and submerged surveillance tasks. For its part, the British Government is pursuing the development of new submarine technology and intends to replace these four Vanguard-class vessels with the new Dreadnought class by the 2030s.