Royal Navy submarines defend against drones with fire hoses

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 10:37 · Archive

Royal Navy sailors are trained to use high-pressure fire hoses as a last line of defence against drone attacks on nuclear submarines.

Royal Navy sailors are trained to use high-pressure fire hoses to defend Britain's nuclear-armed Vanguard-class submarines against potential drone attacks. The hoses, known as centre-fed reels and fitted with pistol-grip nozzles, are kept on submarine decks when vessels are alongside at HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland. The measure provides a last line of defence for the £4billion submarines, which carry Trident II ballistic missiles.

The Navy states that its bases are protected by several layers of security, including physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring and counter-drone capabilities. However, a Navy source admitted that submariners standing on deck and blasting water at drones represents one of those defence layers. A source told The Sun: 'You have to use what you've got'. The source added that threats from drones have evolved beyond small spy drones or civilian activity.

Drone sightings near military installations have increased sharply, from nine a year in 2019 to 340 over the past 12 months. Faslane's location on Gare Loch provides protection against hostile submarines, but nearby hills and public roads could give potential attackers opportunities to launch drones at close range. Experts have warned that Faslane is of clear interest to hostile states and questioned whether sufficient measures are in place to protect the submarines.

How it is being reported

• Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet 'told to use fire hoses' against Putin drone attackNew questions have emerged about the vulnerability of the UK's most sensitive military installations.Daily Express · 9 Oct, 10:09
• Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet can only use fire hoses against Vladimir Putin drone attackThe Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet has been told to use fire hoses against a possible Russian drone attack. High-pressure jets of water are said to be the only "air defence weapon" on Vanguard-class submersible. Despite the vessels being armed with Trident II ballistic missiles, the last line of defence is a hose. A source told The Sun: "You have to use what you've got." TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The hoses are placed on Vanguard decks as a precaution when vessels are tied to HMNB Clyde in Faslane, the Scotland home of the submarine service. The Navy insists its submersible vessels…GB News · 9 Oct, 05:13

In this story: Royal Navy · Vanguard-class · HM Naval Base Clyde · Faslane · Gare Loch · Scotland

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