Arabic version: عودة «إتش إم إس فينجنس» بعد دورية ترايدنت استمرت 217 يوماً

According to BBC News, Royal Navy submarine HMS Vengeance has returned to its Scottish base after spending a record-breaking 217 days submerged on patrol. The vessel, carrying Trident nuclear missiles, left Faslane near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, on 12 April with a crew of 140.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the crew at HM Naval Base Clyde after what was described as the longest deployment at sea for a British vessel. HMS Vengeance was seen travelling up Gare Loch with smaller naval support vessels and tug boats. Marine growth covered the submarine and some sound-absorbing tiles were missing.

The submarine had been expected back at Faslane the previous weekend. Its return was reportedly delayed after the vessel due to replace it on patrol returned to base to fix a technical fault.

Streeting said it “doesn’t sit lightly” with him that crews were being asked to serve longer than intended. He said he felt “even more indebted” to the crew for their service, commitment, dedication, professionalism and expertise.

Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarine patrols, once typically three months, now routinely last six months or more because of shortages of seaworthy vessels. HMS Vanguard previously held the reported Royal Navy record after returning in April following 205 days at sea. HMS Victorious is in dry dock for a £560m deep-maintenance programme, while Vanguard-class boats are expected to remain in service until Dreadnought-class submarines begin replacing them in the early 2030s.