Submarine HMS Astute returned to her home port of Faslane in time for Christmas, after a deployment which saw her visiting Australia.
The Royal Navy vessel was part of the Carrier Strike Group, which saw F-35B Lightning fighters launchingfrom the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.
HMS Queen Elizabeth was protected by a ring of escort warships during operations, with HMS Astute providing an undersea defence against other submarines.
Most of the other task group vessels returned to their home ports on December 9, while frigate HMS Kent and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Victoria were slightly later, getting back home on December 10 and 12 respectively.
Astute was the final returner from the Carrier Strike Group, coming alongside HM Naval Base Clyde on December 20.
Commodore Jim Perks, Head of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, said: “HMS Astute has today returned to her home port on the Clyde.
“Despite the challenges of deploying during a global pandemic, Astute has demonstrated the flexibility and reach that a submarine can bring. Her ship’s company can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved.”
HMS Astute also visited Australia to help further cement links between the two nations following the announcement of the AUKUS agreement in September.
The trilateral agreement will see Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States work to deepen cooperation and engagement in the Indo-Pacific, with new nuclear-powered submarines being used by the Royal Australian Navy.
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