Like all submarines the vanguard class are steam powered their reactors converting water into steam to drive the engines and generate electricity. Each boat is armed with trident 2 d5 nuclear missiles. The four vanguard class submarines form the uk s strategic nuclear deterrent force.
A few years ago it was estimated that the overall lifetime cost of replacing and maintaining the uk s nuclear submarines would be over 205 billion. Scrapping the renewal of britain s nuclear weapons the trident programme would save billions. Warhead programme in the united kingdom whose nuclear deterrent plays an absolutely vital role.
The royal navy vanguard class nuclear submarine hms vengeance which carries trident missiles. Vanguard victorious vigilant and vengeance built between 1986 and 1999 at barrow in furness by vickers shipbuilding and engineering now owned by bae systems. The class was introduced in 1994 as part of the trident nuclear programme and includes four boats.
The vanguard class is a class of nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines ssbns in service with the royal navy. It consists of four vanguard class submarines which can carry. Trident is the name of britain s nuclear deterrent system which is located at hm navel base clyde on the west coast of scotland.
Trident is the only nuclear weapon system operated by the uk since the decommissioning of tactical we 177 free fall bombs in 1998. Trident replaced the submarine based polaris system in operation from 1968 until 1996. The uk trident programme was announced in july 1980 and patrols began in december 1994.
