French and British nuke subs collide

[He3]

British and French nuclear submarines reportedly collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.

Britain's HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant were both damaged in the crash in the early hours of 4 February, but there were no reports of damage to the nuclear parts.

France's defence ministry said on 6 February that Le Triomphant, a ballistic nuclear submarine, was damaged when it hit an object under water.

It did not identify the object.

Now it emerges the object was another submarine carrying nuclear missiles.

RTÉ News: Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic Ocean

As the North Atlantic is the sea our Island sits in, we have a vital national interest in knowing exactly where and how this happened. Any clues?

This is from the BBC - who refer to the 'middle of the Atlantic', but that is not supported by anything in the text:

France's defence ministry said in a statement, dated 6 February, that Le Triomphant "collided with an immersed object (probably a container)" when coming back from patrolling.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7892294.stm

[He3]

Any of our public representatives asking questions on this?

The UK sub had to be nursed back to Faslane, which meant it limped past either our north coast, or up the Irish Sea.

These two subs had enough WMDs on board to have a fair go at ending human life on earth.

[irish_shrink]

He3...I know nothing of the UK subs abilities...could it really end all life on earth?

[He3]

Any one of its 48 nuclear warheads could ruin your whole day.

The French carry a similar number of missiles, though whether they can each carry as many warheads as the Brits I do not know. I have toned down my earlier post but the seriousness of this to our maritime nation cannot be overstated.

[Catalpa]

Truly amazing that two of the most sophisticated boats in the World could actually be unaware of each others presence and collide at sea!

Like they both have sonar and god knows what else on board to ensure they can never be taken unawares.

[Bobert]

These two subs had enough WMDs on board to have a fair go at ending human life on earth.

No they don't! Grossly over exaggerating that He3.

[He3]

OK Bobert, how many of us do you think these things could kill?

[Bobert]

Truly amazing that two of the most sophisticated boats in the World could actually be unaware of each others presence and collide at sea!

Like they both have sonar and god knows what else on board to ensure they can never be taken unawares.

Military technology is actually so good now that two subs can't detect each other. Scary and amazing at the same time.

[irish_shrink]

i get he3's basic point to be fair...i was just genuinly worried that i might have missed coronation or oireachtas report or the rest of the soaps!

[Bobert]

OK Bobert, how many of us do you think these things could kill?

Impossible to know. Targeting London, I'd say one sub could take out everything within a 200 mile radius.