HMS Talent retired. Royal Navy down to just 5 attack submarines
Reliable sources say that HMS Talent is being prepared for disposal with a formal decommissioning ceremony planned for sometime in May. This leaves the RN down to just 5 SSNs in service for at least the next year or more.
MoD officials have refused to confirm the status of HMS Talent. A few years ago the Ministry instituted a policy that says it “does not comment on out-of-service and in-service dates for submarines”. Effectively the taxpayer is not permitted to know the nominal strength of the navy, a measure that has more to do with concealing uncomfortable reality than any OPSEC considerations.
The Defence Command Paper published in March 2021 optimistically claimed “The Trafalgar class has been extended to ensure a seamless transition to the Astute class.” Naval Sources told IHS Janes that HMS Talent would be extended in service for a year beyond her original 2021 OSD. She arrived in Devonport during February 2021 and has not been to sea since. Her ‘extra year in service’ did not result in any time on operations, presumably because the cost of repairs needed to keep the 32-year old boat going was not deemed value for money.
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https://www.navylookout.com/hms-talent- ... ubmarines/
Talent and Trenchant decommission as new submarine fleet sails forward
The baton of Royal Navy hunter-killer operations today passed firmly to the cutting-edge Astute class of submarines.
After 32 years each in service, HMS Trenchant and Talent – two of the three final Trafalgar-class boats in the Submarine Flotilla – decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base.
HRH The Princess Royal was guest of honour at the joint ceremony which was attended by scores of former crew alongside the final companies of both boats.
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https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... REpDxA5cAU