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US Nuke Sub Sighted in Gibraltar Amid Tensions
11 May
Summary
- USS Alaska, a US strategic nuclear submarine, entered Gibraltar.
- This rare deployment occurred during heightened US-Iran tensions.
- Extra security measures were in place for the submarine's visit.
On May 10, 2026, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN-732) made a rare public appearance entering Gibraltar. Escorted by local patrol craft and Royal Marines, the submarine docked at South Mole under a security cordon. This marked only the third publicly observed US Ohio-class submarine visit to Gibraltar in approximately 25 years.
Additional Royal Marines were reportedly deployed to Gibraltar before the USS Alaska's arrival, suggesting a heightened security posture. The submarine's mission and route remained undisclosed by British authorities. Its appearance coincided with President Trump's rejection of Iran's nuclear counter-proposal, leading some to interpret the deployment as strategic deterrence signaling.
The USS Alaska, commissioned in 1986, was converted to carry Trident II D5 missiles and underwent significant overhauls, including refueling and system upgrades. It is armed with twenty Trident II D5 nuclear ballistic missiles and four Mk-48 torpedoes. The U.S. Navy operates 14 such SSBNs, forming a key part of its nuclear triad.
