Stranded: Ageing British nuclear submarine in top-secret mission is undergoing repairs off the coast of Iran
- British nuclear submarine spotted at dock in the Emirati dock of Fujairah
- Port is situated less than 100 nautical miles from the coast of Iran
- A 650ft-long metal barrier covers the submarine to avoid detection
- It is believed to be one of Britain's four Trafalgar Class submarines
Published:
22:32 GMT, 26 September 2015
|
Updated:
00:34 GMT, 27 September 2015
A British
nuclear submarine has been caught on camera after it apparently became
stricken with technical problems while on a top-secret mission in one of
the most dangerous parts of the world.
Satellite images show the Royal Navy vessel undergoing repairs at a port less than 100 nautical miles from Iran.
The
nuclear-powered submarine is pictured docked at Fujairah, one of the
United Arab Emirates, in the politically sensitive seaway of the Gulf of
Oman.
The
nuclear-powered submarine is pictured docked at Fujairah, one of the
United Arab Emirates, in the politically sensitive seaway of the Gulf of
Oman
Blue cabling on the quayside apparently provides electrical power to the vessel while it is being repaired.
The
images also show a 650ft-long barrier constructed from metal containers
which appears to have been erected in an effort to shield the 300ft
vessel from public view and protect it from a terrorist attack.
The
images also show a 650ft-long barrier constructed from metal containers
which appears to have been erected in an effort to shield the 300ft
vessel from public view and protect it from a terrorist attack
Designed to
provide surveillance of enemy installations, it is one of Britain's four
Trafalgar Class submarines – HMS Talent, Torbay, Trenchant or Triumph –
which entered service 30 years ago and have suffered from increasing
problems due to their age.
Last
night, nuclear expert John Large said: 'This is a very rare sighting in
these waters as they usually remain submerged for thousands of miles
while performing their surveillance and listening roles in the Gulf. To
be pictured on Google Earth is unfortunate from her commander's point of
view.'
+2
The images also show a 650ft-long
barrier constructed from metal containers which appears to have been
erected in an effort to shield the 300ft vessel from public view and
protect it from a terrorist attack
'Something
must have gone seriously wrong with her to port there now, publicly
announcing her presence in the Gulf of Oman which is effectively a war
zone in these troubled times.
'The
lack of a surface support vessel or any Special Boat Service commandos
in dinghies patrolling the waters around her, or a boom separating her
from the rest of the harbour, suggests this visit was forced upon her.
'She has what seems to be an emergency electrical and ventilation hook-up from the quayside, with all of her hatches open.'
The
image has been stamped with a 2015 copyright marking on Google Earth,
and a UK defence official admitted last night that a Royal Navy
submarine had visited Fujairah earlier this year. The official said it
was 'routine' for submarines to obtain shore services such as
electricity and air-conditioning.
In
2013, The Mail on Sunday revealed how the ageing Trafalgar submarines
had been issued with 'Code Red' safety warnings after inspectors found
radioactive leaks.
The
report by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator found that cracks in
reactors and nuclear discharges were directly attributable to the
Trafalgars remaining in service beyond their design date.
The
Trafalgars are powered by nuclear reactors and are supposed to stay at
sea for up to three months. They are equipped with Tomahawk cruise
missiles and sonar equipment that can hear enemy vessels sailing more
than 50 miles away.
The
submarines have a typical complement of 120 to 130 personnel, up to 20
of them officers. The Trafalgars are being replaced by Astute Class
nuclear submarines.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We do not comment on submarine operations.'
'Something
must have gone seriously wrong with her to port there now, publicly
announcing her presence in the Gulf of Oman which is effectively a war
zone in these troubled times.
'The
lack of a surface support vessel or any Special Boat Service commandos
in dinghies patrolling the waters around her, or a boom separating her
from the rest of the harbour, suggests this visit was forced upon her.
'She has what seems to be an emergency electrical and ventilation hook-up from the quayside, with all of her hatches open.'
The
image has been stamped with a 2015 copyright marking on Google Earth,
and a UK defence official admitted last night that a Royal Navy
submarine had visited Fujairah earlier this year. The official said it
was 'routine' for submarines to obtain shore services such as
electricity and air-conditioning.
In
2013, The Mail on Sunday revealed how the ageing Trafalgar submarines
had been issued with 'Code Red' safety warnings after inspectors found
radioactive leaks.
The
report by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator found that cracks in
reactors and nuclear discharges were directly attributable to the
Trafalgars remaining in service beyond their design date.
The
Trafalgars are powered by nuclear reactors and are supposed to stay at
sea for up to three months. They are equipped with Tomahawk cruise
missiles and sonar equipment that can hear enemy vessels sailing more
than 50 miles away.
The
submarines have a typical complement of 120 to 130 personnel, up to 20
of them officers. The Trafalgars are being replaced by Astute Class
nuclear submarines.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We do not comment on submarine operations.'
Source: Daily Mail, UK.
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