Navy source says fire hoses are a last defence against drones at Faslane's Vanguard submarines
Reports, originating with The Sun, say sailors are prepared to use high-pressure fire hoses against drones when Vanguard-class submarines are alongside at HMNB Clyde. The Ministry of Defence says bases have multi-layered protection and cites £470million extra investment.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2Sailors on Royal Navy Vanguard-class nuclear submarines are prepared to use high-pressure fire hoses as a last line of defence against drones while the vessels are alongside at HMNB Clyde (Faslane) in Scotland, according to reports that cite a Navy source speaking to The Sun. GB NewsR “The hoses are placed on Vanguard decks as a precaution when vessels are tied to HMNB Clyde in Faslane” Read at GB News ↗ Daily ExpressR “Sailors are being trained to use high-pressure fire hoses as a last line of defence against drones targeting Britain's nuclear-armed submarines while they are in port.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 2The hoses, known as centre-fed reels, have pistol-grip nozzles so that sailors can aim at a drone; the source said the worst-case plan is to "knock a drone off course or even knock it down". Daily ExpressR “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.” Read at Daily Express ↗ GB NewsR “The hoses are equipped with pistol-grip nozzles to help sailors aim at potential threats.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 2The Navy source said "You have to use what you've got" and that the measure was originally conceived for small spy drones or civilian nuisance flights, but that "the threats moved on a lot". GB NewsR “"We always thought this would be for small spy drones or civilian d*cking around — but the threats moved on a lot," the source added.” Read at GB News ↗ Daily ExpressR “But a Navy source told The Sun that personnel had to make use of the equipment available.” Read at Daily Express ↗
Right · 2The source also said the base's location offers "excellent natural protection" but remains "at risk of drones", because public roads and hills nearby mean there is less time to react if several drones were launched close by. GB NewsR “"There are lots of public roads, people can roam on the hills," the source said. "If several drones were launched nearby there is less time to react."” Read at GB News ↗ Daily ExpressR “The location of Britain's nuclear submarine base could also present another challenge if drones were launched from nearby.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1GB News reported that the water jets are meant mainly for small and medium-range FPV drones, with long-range Iranian Shahed or Russian Gerbera drones expected to be intercepted by the RAF. GB NewsR “The high-pressure water blasters are intended primarily to defend against small- and medium-range FPV drones, as long-range Iranian Shaheds or Russian Gerbera drones could be intercepted by the RAF.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 2Charlie Williams of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said Faslane is "very clearly of interest to hostile states" and has been targeted before, and called reliance on fire hoses "very surprising", adding "We have to hope the MoD is investing in the right kind of capability". Daily ExpressR “"Faslane is very clearly of interest to hostile states. We know it has been targeted before and it would not be surprising if it was targeted again.” Read at Daily Express ↗ GB NewsR “"It is very surprising they are relying on fire hoses to defend the submarines.” Read at GB News ↗
Right · 2GB News quoted Williams as saying Russia has flown hundreds of drones over nuclear sites in Europe, including France's Île-Longue submarine base, Belgium's Kleine-Brogel airfield and RAF Lakenheath; the Daily Express reported that reported drone flights near UK military bases rose from nine in 2019 to 340 over the past 12 months. GB NewsR “Mr Williams said Russia had flown hundreds of drones over nuclear sites throughout Europe” Read at GB News ↗ Daily ExpressR “Reported drone flights near military bases have risen from just nine in 2019 to 340 over the past 12 months.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 2The Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence say hoses are not the only defence: a spokesman cited a multi-layered approach of physical barriers, patrols, surveillance, monitoring and counter-drone capabilities, and said the Defence Investment Plan will add £470million over four years to protect UK military sites. Daily ExpressR “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.” Read at Daily Express ↗ GB NewsR “we are investing an additional £470million over the next four years to strengthen the protection of UK military sites.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1GB News added that earlier this year a 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman were arrested after attempting to enter the base, with no action taken against the man. GB NewsR “Earlier this year, a 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman were arrested after attempting to enter the base - but no action was taken against the man.” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets relay The Sun's report as a startling weakness: Britain's Trident-armed submarines have a hose as their last line of defence, with Russian threat framing in GB News's headline and 'woeful' defence in the Express's.
- Emphasis
- The contrast between nuclear weapons and a hose, the Navy source's admissions, the IISS analyst's surprise, and rising drone activity.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither independently verifies the claim or gives detail on the counter-drone systems the MoD mentions; the MoD response comes at the end.
- Charged language
- “woeful defence”“laid bare”“last line of defence”“Vladimir Putin drone attack”
- For example
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“Despite the vessels being armed with Trident II ballistic missiles, the last line of defence is a hose.” — GB News
“The prospect of relying on fire hoses as a final layer of protection is particularly striking” — Daily Express
What every side reports
- Hoses with pistol-grip nozzles can be placed on Vanguard-class decks at HMNB Clyde as a last-resort anti-drone measure.
- The account rests on a Navy source quoted by The Sun.
- The MoD says bases have multi-layered protection and cites £470million extra investment over four years.
- IISS analyst Charlie Williams called reliance on fire hoses very surprising.
Royal Navy organisation
The Navy and MoD say the bases are protected by multiple layers, including counter-drone capabilities, and that sailors with hoses are not the only defence; an anonymous Navy source, however, concedes the hoses are a worst-case option and that threats have outgrown the original plan.
“The Royal Navy insists Faslane is protected by several layers of security and that sailors with hoses are not the base's only defence against drones.” — Daily Express
“A Navy source said its location provided "excellent natural protection" but admitted it remains "at risk of drones".” — GB News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right3 articles
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GB NewsR ·
Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet can only use fire hoses against Vladimir Putin drone attack
Alarmist Leads with Putin and a hose as the only 'air defence weapon' on nuclear submarines, then adds the MoD response and analyst concern.
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UK nuclear submarines' woeful defence against attacks laid bare
Critical Calls the defence 'woeful', stressing the Trident contrast and surge in drone sightings near bases, while giving the MoD's multi-layered defence reply.
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- 9 Oct 05:13 First GB NewsR Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet can only use fire hoses against Vladimir Putin drone attack
- 9 Oct 08:44 +3h 31m Daily ExpressR UK nuclear submarines' woeful defence against attacks laid bare
- 9 Oct 10:09 +4h 56m Daily ExpressR Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet 'told to use fire hoses' against Putin drone attack
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.