UK Ministry of Defence, The next deployment of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent will be its 300th patrol, marking more than 38 years of continuous at sea deterrence and 50 million man hours on board.
The UK's strategic and sub-strategic nuclear deterrent is provided by the Vanguard class of submarines based at HM Naval Base Clyde, at Faslane, Scotland.
Since April 1968 there has never been a minute when a Faslane-based submarine has not been on patrol, safeguarding UK interests.
With an average crew of around 150 on a Nuclear Submarine, 38 years of continuous, operation equates to nearly 50 million man hours.
HM Naval Base Clyde has been the pivotal maintenance centre for all 300 patrols. Its Commander, Commodore Carolyn Stait said:
“It is difficult to imagine something working so smoothly that not a day's operation has been lost in more than 38 years
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