£1.2 BILLION hunter-killer sub HMS Ambush CRASHES into tanker in training exercise off Gibraltar
It sustained damage to the conning tower
NUCLEAR powered submarine HMS Ambush yesterday crashed into a tanker as she surfaced.
The Royal Navy hunter killer submarine was training around the coast of Gibraltar when she collided with another vessel.
The crash left the severe gash across £1.2bn Ambush’s conning tower.
Sources said no one was injured in the incident yesterday afternoon and there was no damage to the submarines nuclear core.
Early indications were that the merchant vessel in question had not sustained any damage.
An onlooker said: “Ambush came into the naval base last night with her conning tower heavily gashed.
“The damage was extensive. It looked like her sonar had been knocked off - sailors were covering up the area with plastic sheeting.”
One source said the boat was conducting training with UK Special Forces.
A Royal Navy spokesman, said: “At approximately 13:30 local time today, HMS Ambush, an Astute-class submarine, while submerged and conducting a training exercise was involved in a glancing collision with a merchant vessel off the coast of Gibraltar.
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“We are in contact with the merchant vessel and initial indications are that it has not sustained damage.
“The submarine suffered some external damage but there is absolutely no damage to her nuclear plant and no member of the ship’s company was injured in the incident
“An immediate investigation is being conducted.
“There are no safety concerns associated with HMS Ambush being alongside.”
The submarine had been operating off Gibraltar as part of the exercise for over a week.
Top Brass will now decide whether to sail her home for repairs or fix Ambush at Gibraltar.