ONE of Britain’s nuclear submarines has returned to sea after a multi-million-pound refit.

HMS Vengeance left Devonport dockyard in Plymouth, Devon, following a near four-year refit and refuel programme, which is part of a £350 million project.

The submarine – fitted with Trident ballistic missiles – sailed past HMS Vanguard, which is due to begin its own four-year refurbishment at the same port.

The £200m HMS Vanguard project will secure the future of more than 2,000 jobs in Devonport and also involves more than 100 other firms as subcontractors.

The contract involves replacing the nuclear reactor core, which powers the 16,000-tonne vessel. The submarine and missile launch systems will also be overhauled.

Defence minister Philip Dunne said: “As well as securing 2,000 highly skilled jobs at Devonport dockyard, this contract forms part of our £178 billion plan to ensure our armed forces have the equipment they need and typifies what has proven to be a very successful programme of refuelling our fleet of nuclear submarines which helps ensure their service into the 2030s.

“The protection and defence of the whole of the UK is the primary responsibility of Government and the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review confirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life.”