UK nuclear submarine in collision with merchant vessel

A nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine has been forced into port in Gibraltar after a collision with a merchant vessel.

An investigation has been launched after HMS Ambush was involved in the "glancing" collision while submerged off the coast of Gibraltar, the Royal Navy said.

The Astute-class vessel suffered "some external damage" but no crew members were injured in the incident. The submarine's nuclear reactor was undamaged, the Royal Navy said.

A statement posted on the Ministry of Defence website said on Wednesday:

The Astute-class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

The boat was involved in the collision despite being equipped with what the Royal Navy boasts are "world leading sensors".

The 7,400 tonne Astute-class vessels, which cost more than £1 billion each, carry torpedoes for targeting enemy submarines and ships and Tomahawk cruise missiles.