UK sailors trained to defend nuclear submarines from drones with fire hoses, Sun reports
In short
British sailors are being trained to use fire hoses to protect nuclear-armed submarines from drone attacks, The Sun reported, according to Russian outlets. High-pressure water jets are the only air defence on the Vanguard-class submarines, which cost 4 billion pounds and carry Trident 2 missiles, the newspaper said. The Royal Navy said its bases have several lines of defence, RIA Novosti reported.
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British sailors are being trained to use fire hoses to protect nuclear-armed submarines from drone attacks, The Sun reported, according to Vedomosti and RBC. RIA Novosti, citing a newspaper, reported the same on October 9. According to the report, high-pressure water jets are the only "air defence weapon" on the Vanguard-class submarines, which cost 4 billion pounds; RIA Novosti gave the figure as 5.2 billion dollars. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The submarines carry Trident 2 missiles, which The Sun said have more explosive power than all the bombs dropped during the Second World War, Vedomosti reported. The hoses are described as the last line of defence. They are laid on deck and fitted with nozzles, which Vedomosti described as pistol-grip shaped, to help sailors aim at aerial targets. [ 1 , 2 ]
RIA Novosti reported that the hoses are usually placed on deck as a precaution when the submarines are at the Clyde base in Scotland. The Vanguard submarines are most vulnerable when surfacing and in port, where they can stay for months or even years, according to the report. The hoses are meant to protect against short- and medium-range FPV drones, while long-range drones can be intercepted by fighter jets. "In the worst case, the plan is to take a hose reel and use it to knock the drone off its trajectory or bring it down altogether," a source told the newspaper. Another source, quoted by Vedomosti, said, "You have to use what you have." [ 1 , 2 ]
The Royal Navy said its bases have several lines of defence, including physical barriers, patrols and surveillance, RIA Novosti reported. Vedomosti's article refers to marines in its opening line, while RIA Novosti and RBC describe those being trained as sailors. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti also noted that on September 22 The i Paper reported Britain had for the first time launched a heavyweight torpedo from an uncrewed underwater vehicle, in tests described as part of efforts to counter a growing threat from Russia. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The report, carried by RIA Novosti and two business outlets, describes the submarines as most exposed when surfaced and in port, where they can stay for months or years. Vedomosti set it alongside a September report by The i Paper on British torpedo tests described as part of efforts to counter a growing threat from Russia.
Key facts
- British sailors are being trained to use fire hoses to protect submarines from drone attacks, according to a newspaper report. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- High-pressure water jets are described as the only air defence weapon on the Vanguard-class submarines, which cost 4 billion pounds. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The submarines carry Trident 2 missiles, and the hoses are called their last line of defence. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The hoses are laid on deck and fitted with nozzles to help sailors aim. [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to RIA Novosti, the hoses are placed on deck as a precaution when the submarines are at the Clyde base in Scotland. [ 1 ]
- The hoses are meant to counter short- and medium-range FPV drones, while long-range drones can be intercepted by fighter jets, RIA Novosti reported. [ 1 ]
- The Royal Navy said its bases have several lines of defence, including physical barriers, patrols and surveillance. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Sailors in Britain are being trained to use fire hoses to protect submarines from drone attacks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- High-pressure water jets are the only air defence on Vanguard-class submarines costing 4 billion pounds, according to the newspaper report. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Vanguard-class submarines carry Trident 2 missiles, and the hoses are described as their last line of defence. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The hoses are fitted with nozzles that help sailors aim at aerial targets. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether those being trained are sailors or marines. Vedomosti's article refers to marines in its opening line and sailors later, while RIA Novosti and RBC refer to sailors.
- The full extent of the Royal Navy's counter-drone measures at its bases. Only RIA Novosti carries the Royal Navy's response, and its text is cut off.
- The identity of the source quoted on using a hose reel to knock drones off course. The source is unnamed in the reporting.