Triumph flew her decommissioning pennant and was escorted in by an array of vessels as she entered Plymouth Sound – marking the end of her fruitful time on front-line operations that took her around the globe to all corners of the planet.
Commander Aaron Williams, HMS Triumph’s Commanding Officer, said: “As HMS Triumph prepares to decommission, we reflect on her legacy with immense pride.
“This submarine has served not just as a vessel, but as a symbol of commitment, courage and camaraderie.
“And while this chapter of HMS Triumph’s story ends, her spirit will endure in the memories of all who served aboard her, and in the gratitude of the nations she helped protect.
“Although HMS Triumph has carried out her missions with quiet strength and dedication behind every mission, deployment, and triumph has been the sacrifice and steadfast support of the families who stood behind us.”
Triumph was laid down in Barrow shipyard in February 1987 and commissioned less than five years later in October 1991, the last of the class to be built after her six sisters HMS Talent, Trenchant, Torbay, Tireless, Turbulent and Trafalgar.
The boat deployed to Australia in 1993, travelling 41,000 miles submerged without support – at the time the longest solo deployment by a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine.
She served in Afghanistan in 2001, launching Tomahawk missiles at targets, and later deployed to Libya – again firing her weaponry at positions from the Mediterranean Sea as part of international efforts to protect civilians.
On both occasions, Triumph flew the Jolly Roger flag from her fin as she returned to Plymouth – a Submarine Service tradition which celebrates the completion of a successful combat mission.
The submarine was the tenth Royal Navy vessel to bear the HMS Triumph name, a moniker with a rich heritage – the first was a 680-gun galleon built in 1561 and was the largest built in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
“Having spent many years serving in Trafalgar-class SSNs it is with both pride and sadness that I see these excellent submarines reach the end of their career,” said Royal Navy Director Submarine, Rear Admiral Andy Perks.
“The last of the Cold War submarines, these vessels have helped keep our country safe for over 30 years.
“As this era ends though, we can be assured that our Submarine Service remains well served by the Astute -class SSN.”
Triumph will be officially decommissioned in a ceremony early in 2025 as the baton passing to the Astute-class attack submarines is completed.
The largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, the Astute fleet will eventually consist of seven vessels.
HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson are all currently in service and operating from HM Naval Base Clyde. A further two boats are under construction at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness.
