British nuclear submarines to use hoses in 'worst case scenario' defence despite Russia threat

British nuclear submarines to use hoses in 'worst case scenario' defence despite Russia threat A Navy source has claimed that high-powered hoses mounted on docked HMS Vanguard submarines are being factored into the defence of the top-of-the-line £3 billion vessels Britain's most advanced nuclear submarines only have hoses to protect them from drone incursions, it has been reported. Vanguard class submarines, the pinnacle of the Navy's underwater fleet, have "centre-fed reels", a type of hose connected to a drum that can launch powerful streams of water through a trigger system. They are mainly used to tackle onboard fires, but it has now been claimed that they are also being deployed to fend off drones. An insider has said submarine crews now "have to use what you’ve got", while the Government insists its most vital military units are properly protected. The reels are reportedly placed on deck as a precaution while submarines are tied up alongside the HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Helensburgh, Scotland, a source told the Sun. While there, they are swathed in several layers of defence, including the base's specialist counter-drone capabilities, patrols, surveillance, monitoring and physical barriers. But the source claimed the hoses are also meant to factor into the defence, stating: “In a worst case scenario, the plan is to grab the centre fed hose reel and use it to knock a drone off course or even knock it down.” The hoses, according to official documents, are designed for use primarily to tackle different types of fires and can be found on several different vessel types. An MOD Defence Standard states they are placed on HM Ships, Submarines or Fire Schools "as a first appliance against Class A & B fires". Class A fires are caused by solid combustibles, while Class B fires are started by flammable liquids like petrol, diesel or paraffin. The claims come as drones are increasingly fielded in military conflicts, having found routine use in Ukraine, where they are helping turn the tide of war against Russia, and in Iran. They have also strayed further into eastern Europe, with two ships hit by sea and air drones off the coast of Bulgaria earlier this week. Officials launched a massive search and rescue operation for missing crewmembers following the incident in the Black Sea on October 6 in which the vessels sent distress signals at around 4am local time (2am BST). One of the pair "disappeared" from the radar of border police at around 9am local time (7am BST). Rescue teams were able to retrieve 18 sailors on the second vessel, with two of them seriously injured. The remaining 16 crew are reportedly in "good condition". The origin of the drones has not yet been established. Bulgarian prime minister Rumen Radev said: "I can't say yet which country the drones are from, but it's clear - they're either Russian or Ukrainian." The Royal Navy has also recently brushed with drones, with HMS Dragon having faced them down in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The Type 45 destroyer spent seven months away protecting UK interests this year by shielding bases in Cyprus, providing maritime security and working with allies and partners across the Middle East. It returned to Portsmouth today, with General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff hailing the deployment as showing "the Royal Navy at its best". Responding to the hose claims, an MoD spokesperson said the Government is taking military security "extremely seriously". They said: “The first duty of Government is national security, and we take the security of our people, sites and local communities extremely seriously, in particular those housing nuclear capabilities. “The protection of our bases is kept under constant review, with a multi-layered approach that includes physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring, and counter-drone capabilities. Through the Defence Investment Plan, we are investing an additional £470million over the next four years to strengthen the protection of UK military sites.”