Fault forces nuclear sub to quit trials

THE Royal Navy’s newest nuclear submarine has been forced to abandon its sea trials after a fault was discovered.

The £1 billion HMS Ambush has had to be towed back to its port on the Clyde just weeks after being handed over to the navy.

The vessel came to an unexpected halt in the middle of Gare Loch on Wednesday, and the MoD confirmed an “issue” meant it had to return to base.

Ambush is the latest in the Royal Navy’s astute class of attack submarines, said to be among the most advanced in the world. It was built by BAE Systems in Cumbria, and was commissioned into the navy last month at a ceremony at Faslane on the Clyde.

The MoD declined to give specific details but said the submarine’s nuclear reactor was not at fault.