Britain to decommission its last Trafalgar nuclear submarine
The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom has completed the operation of the last Trafalgar nuclear submarine, HMS Triumph. This ship, which has served for 34 years, will be replaced by the latest Astute submarine.
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The ship made her last voyage on 12 December 2024 and returned to the naval base in Portsmouth, where she made her last port call.
After the end of service ceremony, HMS Triumph will be sent to the submarine storage base, where the reactor will be dismantled and prepared for disposal.
HMS Triumph, which was laid down in 1987 with a Barrow design and commissioned in 1991, was the last of the Trafalgar class of submarines. The series included HMS Talent, Trenchant, Torbay, Tireless, Turbulent and Trafalgar.
The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Triumph on her last port call. Illustration: Royal Navi
The submarine was the tenth Royal Navy vessel to bear the name HMS Triumph, the first being a 680-gun galleon built in 1561, and it was the largest built in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
The Triumph will be replaced by the new Astute nuclear-powered submarine HMS Agincourt, which is being built at BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.
At the same time, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the decommissioning of five more ships due to the limited military budget. The list includes the frigate HMS Northumberland, two Albion amphibious assault ships (HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark) and two auxiliary fleet tankers, RFA Wave Ruler and RFA Wave Knight.
According to government officials, such steps are necessary due to the need to reallocate resources to priority areas that are currently underfunded.
Source: Royal Navi
