By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-09 04:16:11 | Updated at 2026-10-09 05:06:46
53 minutes ago
The Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet has been told to use fire hoses against a possible Russian drone attack.
High-pressure jets of water are said to be the only "air defence weapon" on Vanguard-class submersible.
Despite the vessels being armed with Trident II ballistic missiles, the last line of defence is a hose.
A source told The Sun: "You have to use what you've got."
The hoses are placed on Vanguard decks as a precaution when vessels are tied to HMNB Clyde in Faslane, the Scotland home of the submarine service.
The Navy insists its submersible vessels have multiple layers of defence, including "physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring, and counter-drone capabilities".
It has now been revealed that submariners standing on deck and blasting high-pressure water at drones is one of those layers.
The hoses are equipped with pistol-grip nozzles to help sailors aim at potential threats.
A Navy source admitted 'you have to use what you've got' as it was revealed submersibles are defended with hoses
GETTY
"We always thought this would be for small spy drones or civilian d*cking around — but the threats moved on a lot," the source added.
HMNB Clyde is one of the UK's most sensitive military bases.
Earlier this year, a 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman were arrested after attempting to enter the base - but no action was taken against the man.
A Navy source said its location provided "excellent natural protection" but admitted it remains "at risk of drones".
PICTURED: Sailors on the deck of the HMS Agamemnon as it arrives into HMNB Clyde
MOD
"There are lots of public roads, people can roam on the hills," the source said. "If several drones were launched nearby there is less time to react."
Charlie Williams, researcher and defence analyst at the London-based think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said the Faslane site was clearly of interest to Russia, adding that it had been "targeted before and it would not be surprising if it was targeted again".
Mr Williams said Russia had flown hundreds of drones over nuclear sites throughout Europe, with targets including France’s Île-Longue nuclear submarine base, Belgium’s Kleine-Brogel nuclear airfield and RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
He said: "It is very surprising they are relying on fire hoses to defend the submarines.
A researcher at IISS said it was 'very surprising' to learn fire hoses were a crucial part of nuclear submarine defence
"We have to hope the MoD is investing in the right kind of capability to defend it."
The high-pressure water blasters are intended primarily to defend against small- and medium-range FPV drones, as long-range Iranian Shaheds or Russian Gerbera drones could be intercepted by the RAF.
The source added: "In a worst case scenario, the plan is to grab the centre fed hose reel and use it to knock a drone off course or even knock it down."
The MoD spokesman said: "The first duty of Government is national security, and we take the security of our people, sites and local communities extremely seriously, in particular those housing nuclear capabilities.
"The protection of our bases is kept under constant review, with a multi-layered approach that includes physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring, and counter-drone capabilities.
"Through the Defence Investment Plan, we are investing an additional £470million over the next four years to strengthen the protection of UK military sites."
