Monday, February 16, 2009

French, British nuclear subs collide in Atlantic

Posted on 02.16.09 by Thomas L. Knapp
“French and British nuclear-missile submarines collided earlier this month while on routine patrol in the Atlantic, the countries’ militaries said. No one was injured. The U.K. vessel, the Vanguard, returned to its base at Faslane in Scotland on Feb. 14, the Ministry of Defence in London said today. The French military said Feb. 6 that Le Triomphant, part of France’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent fleet, had collided with an unidentified object and returned to its home port of Brest under its own power. French military spokesmen at the time declined to give further details. … The British military said the nuclear-powered submarines ‘came into contact at very low speeds.’ The vessels “remained safe and no injuries occurred,” the ministry said, adding, ‘We can confirm that the capability remained unaffected and there has been no compromise to nuclear safety.’” (02/16/09)

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