First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key stated the hunter-killer submarines – known as SSNs – have been confined to port on the identical day in September.
MPs branded the scenario “embarrassing” because it meant British waters and delivery wouldn’t have been shielded from Moscow’s vessels in the event that they have been within the North Atlantic.
On the Commons Defence Choose Committee, former defence minister Mark Francois blasted: “We didn’t have a single one at sea, I feel, for the primary time in residing reminiscence. That’s operational failure, isn’t it?”
However Adm Sir Ben replied: “I refute that. There was no want for any of these submarines to be at sea.”
The subs docked in Plymouth, have been HMS Astute, Ambush, Suave, Audacious, Anson and Triumph.