Last Refuelling for TRIDENT – A £350m refit for the Strategic Submarine VENGEANCE has started at Devonport after an unexplained interregnum. The refit guarantees work many dockyard workers and the refit was announced during the visit of the Secretary of State for Defence’s visit to Plymouth. The mystery as to the delay in the announcement of the contract remains unexplained as the VENGEANCE had completed a Strategic Patrol, returned to Faslane, landed a full complement of TRIDENT missiles to the safety of the Coulport Depot, and then proceeded to Plymouth without the refit contract being signed.

Comment - The earlier refit of the similar VIGILANT was recently completed at Devonport and the "boat" is now due to start for sea trials.    The arrival of the VENGEANCE in port without a refit contract maybe explained by the need to complete the VIGILANT refit and sign that off ... there again it could be that the new broom at the MoD wished to make the announcement personally when visiting the city. There is another possibility – until the recent budget was announced in Parliament the refit and refuelling of the VENGEANCE was is doubt ?    Really ...