Themes

HMS Resolution's first Polaris patrol

The most important operations carried out by Royal Navy submarines in the post war period have been nuclear deterrent patrols. These have maintained a constant strategic defence for Great Britain since the 1960s. The nuclear deterrent submarines on patrol had three aims - to remain undetected, to maintain continuous listening communication with their command centre, and to maintain constant readiness to fire retaliatory missiles.

HMS Resolution was the Royal Navy's first ballistic missile-carrying submarine. Construction began on 26th February 1964. She launched on 15th September 1966 and commissioned on 10th February 1967.

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• Polaris firing

• Polaris patrol

• Living conditions

• Ensuring secrecy

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Initial technical developments

Development of Nuclear powered submarines

Britain's Nuclear deterrent

HMS Resolution

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