A French nuclear submarine has been spotted arriving at the Faslane Naval Base near Glasgow. The SSN FS Suffren was photographed in the waters of Gare Loch on route to the submarine base.
The visit to HM Naval Base Clyde, which is home to the UK's Submarine Service, including Britain's own nuclear subs, is being described as "routine", according to the UK Defence Journal (UKDJ).
Faslane is home to the UK's own nuclear deterrent, including the Trident nuclear missile-carrying Vanguard-class nuclear submarines.
The lead submarine of the six-strong Barracuda-class submarine fleet, FS Suffren, is a top-of-the-line ship designed by the French navy to replace the Rubis-class submarines.
This is the second time a French nuclear sub has been spotted at the base after another was spotted with a US Virginia-class sub arriving at the base in April.
According to the editor of (UKDJ) George Allison, that trip was the first time that nuclear submarines belonging to three western nations were in the same place at the same time in recent memory.
The visit at that time was also described as routine, with arrivals from these separate nations occurring regularly throughout the year.
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