According to British media reports, a forward thinking strategic nuclear submarine of the British Navy has encountered a "food shortage crisis" during its underwater cruising in the past six months, forcing its crew to "cut back on food and clothing" to overcome the difficulties. Although the British Navy denied the report, it still sparked controversy among the already troubled British submarine fleet. It is reported that the four Vanguard class nuclear submarines currently in service in the British Navy were commissioned from 1993 to 1999, with a designed service life of 25 years, and should have been retired gradually from 2018. In order to replace the Vanguard class nuclear submarine, the British government has long been developing the Dreadnought class nuclear submarine. However, in 2010, the Cameron government decided to postpone the project for five years until October 2016, resulting in repeated delays in the construction period of the first ship, the Dreadnought, which is expected to take at least 15 years. Faced with this situation, the Vanguard class nuclear submarine has to continue to take on the responsibility of strategic deterrence cruise. In 2009, the Vanguard class nuclear submarine "Vanguard" collided with the French nuclear submarine "Triumph", and in 2012, the submarine experienced a nuclear leak again; In 2022, the Vanguard class nuclear submarine "Victory" caught fire. This has resulted in only two Vanguard class nuclear submarines in the UK having combat capability for a period of time. To ensure that at least one nuclear submarine is on full standby, the British Navy has had to extend the deployment time of the Vanguard class nuclear submarine, from the initial "maximum mission duration of 80 days" to "average mission duration of 163 days over the past three years", with the longest record set by the "Victory" in 2021 at 207 days. The British Navy has stated that the Vanguard class nuclear submarine is capable of producing oxygen and water on its own, and theoretically can cruise for several years. The main factor limiting its cruising time and range is the food supply on board. In order to enable nuclear submarines to operate underwater for longer periods of time, the British Navy has suggested modifying the storage rooms and freezers of the Vanguard class nuclear submarines, and ensuring that every available space is filled with food before departure. According to British media reports, during the latest cruise of the Vanguard class nuclear submarine, the planned sea supply was cancelled for unknown reasons, resulting in severe food shortages on board. The captain even requested that the crew hand over their personal stored candies and chocolates for unified distribution. Some foreign media also claim that the statement about the cancellation of sea supply may only be speculation, and the main reason for the food shortage is still the long duration of mission execution. The British Navy has denied reports of food shortages or safety risks on the Vanguard class nuclear submarines and emphasized that "every crew member received nutritionally balanced food," but this news has once again brought criticism to the British submarine fleet. British military experts believe that such long periods of overloaded cruising should not become the norm, as it would cause great mental pressure on the crew and even endanger the credibility and safety of the UK's nuclear deterrence force. They said that compared to the crew facing a 'food crisis', the risk of a catastrophic accident on a nuclear submarine is more frightening. Considering that the Dreadnought class nuclear submarine will not be put into service until 2030, the Vanguard class nuclear submarine still needs to bear heavy responsibilities before that, and its future service status is full of uncertainty, which is worrying. (New Society)