A Few Facts On The Two Submarines In Collision

Launched in 1992 and commissioned in 1993, Vanguard is one of four British submarines that carries the Trident nuclear missile.

Two nuclear-armed submarines, one British and one French, collided underwater while on separate patrols in the Atlantic Ocean, the head of Britain's navy said on Monday.

The nuclear-powered submarines collided earlier this month but there was no damage to the vessels' weapons, said Britain's First Sea Lord Admiral Jonathon Band, head of the Royal Navy.

Here are a few facts on the two vessels:

VANGUARD:

Launched in 1992 and commissioned in 1993, Vanguard is one of four British submarines that carries the Trident nuclear missile, the country's nuclear deterrent system. At least one of the submarines is on patrol at all times.

LENGTH: 150 metres

CREW: 135 (including 14 officers)

WEIGHT: 15,980 tons (submerged)

SPEED: 25 knots (submerged)

MISSILES: Following a 1990 government decision a maximum of 48 warheads are carried in UK strategic Missile submarines. The precise number deployed depends on prevailing circumstances.

LE TRIOMPHANT:

Le Triomphant, which was launched in 1993 and entered service in 1997, carries 16 nuclear missiles and is one of four nuclear-armed submarines in the French fleet.

LENGTH: 138 metres

CREW: 111 (15 officers)

WEIGHT: 14,335 tons (submerged)

SPEED: 25 knots (submerged)

MISSILES: 16 Aerospatiale nuclear missiles.