British Submariners Train to Shoot Down Drones… with Fire Hoses

12 October 2026, 20:04

While Vanguard-class nuclear submarines sit in port at the Clyde base in Scotland, their only “ground-based air defense” is fire hoses. This is reported by The Sun, citing a source in the Royal Navy.

What Is Known

The hoses, known as centre-fed reels, are stored on the decks of the submarines. To aim the water jets more precisely, they have been fitted with pistol grips — now this is an “almost futuristic weapon,” if you don’t look too closely.

The calculation is simple: short- and medium-range FPV drones are supposed to falter before the pressure of water and fall into a puddle. Literally.

Context of Vulnerability

Faslane base is located deep in Gare Loch — this protects it from submarines but makes it vulnerable to drones. Nearby are public roads and hills from which UAVs can be launched at close range.

The statistics are alarming: the number of drones spotted near UK military facilities has grown from 9 per year in 2019 to 340 over the last 12 months.

What Experts Say

A Navy source admitted: “You have to use what you have.” Charlie Williams of the IISS called the situation “very surprising” and expressed hope that the Ministry of Defence will invest in the “right capabilities.”

Official Position

The command stated that the bases have several layers of protection: physical barriers, patrolling, surveillance, and counter-drone means. However, judging by the leak, for now the main means is a water cannon.

Bottom Line

If something more serious than an FPV drone shows up, Royal Air Force fighters will step in. If they make it in time. Sailors can make puddles, but covering the entire sky — that is already unlikely.

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