# Britain's four billion pound subs defended by fire hoses

> Royal Navy sailors train to repel drones attacking nuclear submarines using high-pressure water jets as a last resort.
- Title: Britain's four billion pound subs defended by fire hoses
- Summary: Royal Navy sailors train to repel drones attacking nuclear submarines using high-pressure water jets as a last resort. British nuclear submarine crews are…
- Keywords: royal navy, vanguard-class submarines, hmnb clyde, drone defence, nuclear deterrent, britain, technology, Britain's, four, billion, pound, subs
- Source: TechRadar — https://techradar.com/pro/britain-to-use-cheap-eco-friendly-system-against-drones-high-pressure-fire-hoses-chosen-to-protect-nuclear-submarine-fleet-as-last-line-of-defence
- Published: 2026-10-17T13:05:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: royal navy, vanguard-class submarines, hmnb clyde, drone defence, nuclear deterrent, britain, technology
## Water jets train against drones
British sailors aboard nuclear submarines stationed in Scotland are training to repel hostile drones using powerful water jets. The unconventional approach provides inexpensive and environmentally friendly defence for vessels facing potential aerial attacks.
## How the hoses work
The Royal Navy equipped Vanguard-class submarines with firefighting hoses featuring handheld nozzles with pistol-style controls. Sailors aim pressurised water at approaching unmanned aircraft to knock them down or divert their flight paths.
## Emergency measure only
The hoses serve as emergency protection when drones penetrate existing security arrangements around Britain's nuclear deterrent. Unlike conventional air defence systems, the hoses cannot detect or automatically track incoming drones.
## Four billion pound vessels
Each Vanguard-class submarine costs approximately four billion pounds and carries Trident II D five ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. Their reliance on water-based protection is particularly striking given their strategic importance.
## You have to use what you've got
A Royal Navy source acknowledged the limitations of firefighting equipment against airborne threats but said when in a dire situation, you have to use what you have got.

> you have to use what you've got
## Vulnerable location at Clyde
HMNB Clyde occupies a location beside Gare Loch, a relatively confined Scottish waterway measuring approximately one kilometre across at certain points.
## Four hundred seventy million security boost
The Ministry of Defence announced four hundred seventy million pounds in additional expenditure over four years to improve security across Britain's military facilities.
## Key takeaway

British nuclear submarine crews are training to use firefighting hoses to defend against drone attacks, an unconventional and inexpensive emergency measure.