Submarine plans do not tell full story

IT has been widely reported that the UK is to build up to 12 new attack submarines.

- Chris Cope, )y om.

However, what Prime Minister Starmer said was misleading.

What exactly is an 'attack' submarine? Known as an SSN, it is nuclear-powered, but does not and cannot fire nuclear weapons.

With its nuclear propulsion, an attack submarine has unlimited endurance. Operations, though, depend upon the stamina of the crew and provisions. Weapons number 38, including Spearfish torpedoes (speed 70 knots) and Tomahawk cruise missiles (range 1,000 miles).

An attack submarine is today’s equivalent of, if not more powerful, than a Second World War battleship. Apart from the UK’s Trident submarines which fire nuclear weapons, an attack submarine is the most powerful piece of kit in the UK’s armoury.

The Navy has five Astute-class attack submarines in service, with another two on order, of which one will shortly commence sea trials. These are regarded as the equal of the US Navy's formidable Virginia-class attack submarines, of which 25 are in service. From that, you would be forgiven for believing that the five in service are fully operational.