Faslane fleet grows with arrival of Trafalgar-class submarine

The home of the UK submarine service welcomed HMS Talent from her former home at HM Naval Base Devonport.

The boat has operated from the Plymouth base for nearly three decades but has now joined the Clyde family in the latest step in the site’s transformation into the Submarine Centre of Specialisation.

The fleet submarine was given a warm welcome by the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron and MoD Police launches as she arrived on the Gare Loch, with accompanying tug boats spraying jets of water to celebrate the occasion.

The vessel, which completed a multi-million pound refit at Devonport in June last year, will now join Astute-class submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, and Vanguard-class boats HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance as part of the Faslane Flotilla at HM Naval Base Clyde.

“It is great to have even more submariners permanently based in Faslane as we work towards becoming the home of all Royal Navy submarines,” said Rear Admiral John Weale CB OBE, head of the Royal Navy submarine service.

“The Clyde community warmly welcomes the men of HMS Talent as they settle into their new life on the Loch.”

HM Naval Base Clyde will be home to all of the UK’s submarines by 2020. As one of the largest employers in Scotland, it is increasing the number of people employed there from around 6,800 now to approximately 8,200 by 2022.

The base, which includes the port at Faslane and RNAD Coulport, is home to the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent; mine counter-measures vessels and patrol boats are also based there.

It is also home to 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, the First Mine Countermeasures Squadron, Flag Officer Sea Training North, and Northern Diving Group.