Underwater and undercover: how nuclear subs were first line of Falklands defence
Michael Evans, Defence Editor
Five Royal Navy submarines lined up, submerged, on the edge of Argentina’s 12-mile territorial limit to provide early warning of bombing raids on the British task force during the Falklands conflict, according to a new account of the secret role played by the nuclear-powered vessels.
Trailing wire aerials behind them, the submarines were able to pick up launchings of Skyhawks and other aircraft from the main base at Rio Grande, pinpointing their type and number, and giving the task force 45 minutes’ notice in which to react.
The details of the 1982 mission, which was never discovered by the Argentinians, have been revealed by the former second-in-command of one of the boats, HMS Conqueror.
Writing in a special publication, Royal Navy, A Global Force, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim McClement, now retired, says that 25 years after the Falklands campaign it is important to recall the “vital contribution” of the submarines to victory.
Full story
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2950936.ece
Michael Evans, Defence Editor
Five Royal Navy submarines lined up, submerged, on the edge of Argentina’s 12-mile territorial limit to provide early warning of bombing raids on the British task force during the Falklands conflict, according to a new account of the secret role played by the nuclear-powered vessels.
Trailing wire aerials behind them, the submarines were able to pick up launchings of Skyhawks and other aircraft from the main base at Rio Grande, pinpointing their type and number, and giving the task force 45 minutes’ notice in which to react.
The details of the 1982 mission, which was never discovered by the Argentinians, have been revealed by the former second-in-command of one of the boats, HMS Conqueror.
Writing in a special publication, Royal Navy, A Global Force, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim McClement, now retired, says that 25 years after the Falklands campaign it is important to recall the “vital contribution” of the submarines to victory.
Full story
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2950936.ece