UK nuclear submarine runs aground off Scotland
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Oct 22, IRNA -- Britain’s newest and largest nuclear-powered attack submarine has run aground near the Isle of Skye off Scotland, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Friday.
The £3.3 bn HMS Astute, which has yet to enter service, was believed to have been undergoing sea trials when the incident happened.
'We are aware of an incident involving one of our submarines off the Isle of Skye. This is not a nuclear incident,” an MoD spokesman insisted.
“We are responding to the incident and can confirm that there are no injuries to personnel and the submarine remains watertight. There is no indication of any environmental impact,” the spokesman said.
The incident was seen as a major set back for the Astute, which has been billed as the stealthiest of submarines. One of its jobs when it comes into service next year will be to drop special forces discreetly ashore.
A navy spokesman said the accident occurred during a boat transfer from the submarine in confined water. “The rudder went aground and it was held by the rudder on the rocks,' the spokesman said.
Apart from incorporating the latest stealth technology, the submarine boasts of 'a world beating' sonar system with a range of 3,000 nautical miles, plus Spearfish torpedoes and state of the art Tomahawk land attack missiles.
According to the Royal Navy website, the Astute is also able, in addition to its attack capabilities, to sit in waters off the coast undetected, listening to mobile phone conversations or delivering the UK's special forces where needed.
Another British submarine, HMS Trafalgar, sustained millions of pounds worth of damage when it ran aground off Skye in 2002. The incident led to two senior commanders being reprimanded after admitting that their negligence caused the incident.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30033306
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