HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant submarine collision HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant submarine collision The submarines HMS "Vanguard" and "Triomphant" collided in the Atlantic Ocean in the night between 3–4 February 2009. Both are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The Royal Navy's and the French Navy's both sustained damage, but no injuries or radioactivity releases were reported. At the time of the collision, both vessels were submerged and, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, moving "at very low speed"; both are equipped with active and passive sonar, although only the latter is used on an operational patrol. HMS "Vanguard" was on a routine patrol in the Eastern
French submarine Le Triomphant (S616) the night between 3–4 February 2009, "Le Triomphant" collided with the Royal Navy submarine . "Triomphant" was reported to have proceeded to Brest under the boat's own power, submerged, to assess damages around the sonar area. Obviously on both boats, no damages were incurred on the nuclear installations. The French Navy at first claimed that "Le Triomphant" had collided with a container. After "Vanguard" returned to harbour, it was confirmed that the light brief contact collision was in fact with the designated boat. French submarine Le Triomphant (S616) Le Triomphant is a strategic nuclear submarine of the French Navy; the