Vanguard-class submarine

The Vanguard-class submarine is the Royal Navy's four-boat class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, built at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering. Each boat carries Trident 2 D5 missiles, and the class has formed the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent since entering service in 1993.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Vanguard-class submarine, Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Naval Systems

Image source: HMS Vanguard MOD 45154434.jpg

Carried Munitions

The Royal Navy says each Vanguard-class submarine carries Trident 2 D5 missiles as its strategic deterrent payload.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile, Submarine-launched ballistic missile, Munitions

Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile

Submarine-launched ballistic missile

Royal Navy class material says each Vanguard-class submarine is armed with Trident 2 D5 missiles.

Sources: Vanguard Class Nuclear Submarine

Profile

Origin: United Kingdom
Built by: Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (VSEL)
Type: Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
Service note: 1993-present
Produced: 1986-1999
Number built: 4

Also Known As

Vanguard class
Vanguard-class submarine
Vanguard-class submarines
Vanguard SSBN

submarine nuclear-powered ballistic missile

Specifications

Displacement: 15,900 tonnes submerged
Length: 150 m
Crew: 132 officers and men
Propulsion: Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor providing steam for the engines and electricity
Armament: Trident 2 D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered Royal Navy service in 1993 and remains the UK's Continuous At Sea Deterrent platform.
Used by: Royal Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

No public combat-use case found in the reviewed sources. Royal Navy sources describe Vanguard-class submarines as the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent and continuous at-sea deterrent platform, rather than as a conventionally used combat ship class.

Vanguard-class submarine Images

Vanguard-class submarine, Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Vanguard at Faslane 02.jpg

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Sources

Vanguard Class Nuclear SubmarinePublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports class background, displacement, crew size, armament, propulsion, and periscope fit. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 HMS Vanguard (S28)Publisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports lead-boat context, 150 m length, commissioning in 1993, and class role as the Trident carrier. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Submarine ServicePublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports the Vanguard class as the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent force and continuous-at-sea-deterrent posture. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Vickers Shipbuilding - BAE Systems HeritagePublisher: BAE Systems Heritage | Note: Supports VSEL construction at Barrow and the builder lineage that produced HMS Vanguard, the class lead boat. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 HMS Vanguard MOD 45154434.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and the file-page description for the class lead boat photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Vanguard at Faslane 02.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a second open-license Royal Navy photo of HMS Vanguard. | Accessed: 2026-06-25