After months of maintenance and readiness challenges, the Royal Navy’s attack submarine fleet is back on course with a notable increase in activity, reflecting hard work behind the scenes to get boats to sea, UK Defence Journal reports.
The Astute-class HMS Anson and the Trafalgar-class HMS Triumph are both at sea, following HMS Astute’s recent return to Faslane after completing Exercise Strike Warrior.
This renewed presence is a promising sign of the Royal Navy’s commitment to improving submarine availability and addressing prior maintenance backlogs.
With HMS Anson now at sea, the Royal Navy is fielding one of its most advanced submarines in the world. Meanwhile, HMS Triumph, the last active Trafalgar-class submarine, complements the numbers showing the fleet’s ability to sustain a balanced operational presence even as older vessels near the end of their service.
In recent years, the Royal Navy has started to prioritise significant upgrades to its submarine maintenance infrastructure, undertaking projects aimed at enhancing the operational availability of both the Vanguard and Astute-class submarines. Improvements such as the £200 million refurbishment of Number 9 dry dock at Devonport highlight the Royal Navy’s response to infrastructure bottlenecks that have previously hit fleet readiness. This upgraded facility now allows for more efficient deep maintenance on nuclear-powered submarines, helping reduce downtime and meet pressing operational demands.
We haven’t even mentioned Project Euston.
The Ministry of Defence previously initiated Programme EUSTON, a project designed to strengthen submarine maintenance capabilities at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde. This programme aims to establish two new floating dry docks along with supporting infrastructure to meet the demands of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
Launched as part of a broader strategy to enhance operational readiness, Programme EUSTON is currently in the early concept phase, with market engagement underway to shape the project’s procurement approach.
Nevertheless, challenges persist, particularly with the ageing facilities and the limited number of dry docks available to support such complex vessels. Recent maintenance periods, including the extensive work on HMS Victorious, illustrate the scale and intricacy of sustaining the Vanguard-class submarines.
This resurgence in SSN activity highlights the Royal Navy’s efforts to overcome previous maintenance backlogs, ensuring that the UK’s undersea defence capabilities remain robust, responsive, and strategically ready.
