Defence Secretary George Robertson today unveiled details of a new programme to fit the Royal Navy's attack submarines with Tomahawk land attack missiles as HMS Splendid - the first British submarine to fire cruise missiles in action - returned home today to her home base at Faslane, following NATO duty in the Adriatic.

After four months at sea, the 116 sailors on board were welcomed home by their families and loved ones as well as by Defence Secretary, George Robertson. The Swiftsure class nuclear-powered submarine was actively involved in NATO's air campaign, and was responsible for firing Tomahawk land attack missiles - the Royal Navy's most accurate and powerful weapon - at strategic targets during the 172 day offensive.

This year saw the first operational firing of Tomahawk cruise missiles - an important new capability for the British armed forces, and one that will be available in all the UK's attack submarines. Today, the Defence Secretary announced that the second submarine to be equipped to fire Tomahawk, HMS Triumph, will be ready for operational patrolling this autumn, with a further two submarines to be upgraded for Tomahawk missiles before the end of next year.

Mr Robertson today went to Faslane to thank the ship's Captain, Commander Richard Barker, and the rest of the ship's crew for their efforts.

The Defence Secretary said:

"Four months at sea is a long time and they deserve a rest and a chance to see their families and friends again. The crew of HMS Splendid can be very proud of what they have achieved. They played a vital role in destroying key parts of Milosevic's military machine as part of NATO's successful campaign. As the first British submarine to fire cruise missiles in action, HMS Splendid will occupy a unique place in our naval history, but I look forward to seeing more of our flotilla equipped with this strategic capability very soon."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. HMS Splendid was the subject of a recent BBC documentary "HMS Splendid" and was commissioned in March 1991. It is one of twelve attack submarines currently operated by the Royal Navy.

2. HMS Naval Base Clyde is located at Faslane, on the Gareloch, west of Glasgow.

3. HMS Triumph will shortly begin sea trials as part of the Tomahawk upgrade programme. She will be followed by HMS Trafalgar and HMS Spartan in the summer and autumn of 2000 respectively. It is planned that all UK attack submarines will be capable of firing Tomahawk missiles by 2008.

4. For further information, please contact: Steve Willmot at the Faslane Press Office on 01436-677205 or 07801-625621 (mobile).

5. The MoD web-site can be found at http://www.mod.uk

6. Alternatively you may contact the MoD Press Office by e-mail at press@dgics.mod.uk

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