{"id":24172,"date":"2025-04-16T21:12:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T21:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuclearcompanion.com\/?post_type=dataposts&p=24172"},"modified":"2025-04-16T21:12:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T21:12:09","slug":"1st-submarine-squadron-sm1","status":"publish","type":"dataposts","link":"https:\/\/nuclearcompanion.com\/data\/1st-submarine-squadron-sm1\/","title":{"rendered":"1st Submarine Squadron (SM1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 1st Submarine Squadron (SM1)<\/strong> is a Royal Navy submarine squadron responsible for all operational British ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs)<\/strong>. The squadron is based at Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde<\/strong>, located on Gare Loch, Strathclyde, Scotland<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The submarines of the vanguard class are the biggest submarines ever commissioned in the UK. (\u00a9 Crown copyright. MOD Crown Copyright News \/ Editorial Licence<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Established on 1 October 1993<\/strong>, SM1 formed from the merger of the 3rd Submarine Squadron (SM3)<\/strong> and the 10th Submarine Squadron (SM10)<\/strong>. Captain McLees<\/strong>, previously commanding SM3, became the first captain of the newly unified squadron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, SM1 operates four Vanguard-class nuclear-powered SSBNs<\/a><\/strong>, each armed with Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs)<\/a><\/strong>. These submarines routinely transit between Faslane and Kings Bay, Georgia<\/strong>, where they embark and disembark their Trident missiles<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n

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HM Naval Base Clyde, the home of the UK\u2019s nuclear deterrent. (Source<\/a> \u00a9 Crown copyright. MOD Crown Copyright News \/ Editorial Licence<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When not deployed aboard submarines, the nuclear warheads are securely stored at the Royal Naval Armament Depot (RNAD) Coulport<\/strong>. The Coulport facility extends approximately one and a half miles along the eastern shore of Loch Long<\/strong> and lies approximately 11 miles by water, or seven miles by land, from Faslane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, SM1 shares HMNB Clyde with the 2nd Submarine Squadron (SM2)<\/strong>, composed of attack submarines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ships of the unit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n