HMS Ambush, the Royal Navy’s newest attack submarine, recently marked a first when it hosted six students from the UK’s Submarine Command Course.
The students, who are at the start of their five-month intensive training, are the first to undertake the entire course onboard one of the navy’s new Astute Class submarines.
The Command Course, also known as “Perisher” because of its challenging nature, is one of the most intense military training and assessment courses in the world. Only 70 percent of the officers undertaking Perisher succeed, while those who fail can never serve onboard submarines again.
On Friday, January 16, HMS Ambush invited the students, and the course leader, Commander Irvine Lindsay, for a familiarisation visit ahead of the start of the course.
Welcoming them was Commander Justin Codd, the Commanding Officer of HMS Ambush:
The Astute Class represent the future of the Royal Navy submarine service, so it is vital that those who wish to become submarine commanders are fully familiar with the vessels.
Of the six students, four are from the Royal Navy, one from the US Navy and one from the French Maritime Nationale.
The UK Submarine Command Course is in four phases, mixing practice ashore on high-tech simulators with practical experience at sea onboard submarines.
At the end of the course the students are put through their paces at sea during realistic exercises designed to test them to the very limit.
Press release, Image: Royal Navy