The recent arrival of HMS Triumph at Devonport Naval Base marks the beginning of the end for the last Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in service with the Royal Navy. The vessel’s return to the naval base in western Plymouth signifies the conclusion of a 34-year operational career, as its replacement has already begun with the introduction of the new Astute-class submarines.
HMS Triumph was the seventh and final Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine to be commissioned into the Royal Navy in October 1991, having started construction in February 1987 at the Barrow shipyard. Its delivery marked the peak of British naval shipbuilding capabilities, with the successful completion of seven submarines over eight years. These vessels were initially designed to counter the Soviet Union’s submarine fleet during the height of the Cold War.
In recent years, HMS Triumph continued to participate in various deployments, but the commissioning of the Astute-class submarines signaled the beginning of its retirement. The other vessels in its class—Talent, Trenchant, Torbay, Tireless, Turbulent, and Trafalgar—are already out of service and awaiting dismantling, which may only begin in the 2040s due to the ongoing decommissioning of the preceding Swiftsure-class nuclear submarines.
Although much of HMS Triumph‘s operational history remains classified, it has been involved in significant deployments throughout its service life. Initially tasked with tracking Soviet submarines, the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc saw the Trafalgar-class fleet redeployed to new regions, including the Middle East.
During these operations, HMS Triumph conducted strikes on land targets as part of Operation Veritas, targeting terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Similar operations were carried out in 2011 during the Libyan conflict, where the submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles on two occasions.
Over its three-decade career, HMS Triumph underwent numerous updates and refits to maintain its combat capabilities. Between 2005 and 2010, it underwent a mid-life nuclear fuel recharge and modernization, including the installation of the state-of-the-art Sonar 2076 system.
Its most recent overhaul was completed in 2022 to extend its operational life by two additional years. However, this period was prolonged to four years due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It became evident during this time that HMS Triumph had reached the end of its serviceable life, as the expiration of its nuclear reactor’s lifespan left no option but decommissioning.
The arrival of HMS Triumph at Devonport marks one of the last opportunities to see it at sea, following its departure from Faslane, Scotland. According to the Royal Navy, a decommissioning ceremony is scheduled for early 2025. Afterward, the submarine will enter a two-year transitional phase with a minimal crew to prepare it for extended afloat storage, a process expected to last several years until dismantling begins.
With the decommissioning of HMS Triumph, the Royal Navy’s attack submarine fleet will be entirely composed of Astute-class submarines. This transition will simplify crew training and logistical support. Currently, the UK has five Astute-class submarines in active service. The sixth vessel, HMS Agamemnon, was launched in October and is preparing for sea trials. The final submarine of the class, HMS Agincourt, is in advanced stages of construction by BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, with its launch expected soon and entry into service anticipated in 2026.
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