The submarines have twice the displacement of the Polaris submarines of the Resolution-class. The Vanguard-class boats were originally intended for a service life of twenty-five years, and the new Dreadnaught-class of ballistic missile submarines is set to enter service beginning in 2024.Īt nearly 150 meters in length and more than 16,000 metric tons, the Vanguard-class is the largest submarine type ever constructed in the UK, and it has remained the third-largest type of combat vessel in service with Royal Navy.

Each is armed with Trident missiles and all four are critical in maintaining the UK’s nuclear deterrence force. The Vanguard-class was introduced in 1994 as part of the British military’s Trident nuclear program and includes just four boats: Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant, and Vengeance, which were built between 19 at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria by the former Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (now BAE Systems Marine).Īll four of the submarines are based at HM Naval Base Clyde, west of Glasgow, Scotland. And the Vanguard-class are clearly one bunch of impressive submarines. In military terminology, a vanguard is the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force – and it is thus a fitting name for the Royal Navy’s class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines ( SSBNs).

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