2010 Fiji - "Submarines of the World" 1oz Silver Four Coin Set

Mintage 10000

RUSSIAN TYPHOON  

Typhoon class submarine is a type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine deployed by the Soviet Navy in the 1980s. With a maximum displacement of 26,000 tonnes, Typhoons are the largest class of submarine ever built. In its day it was one of the most feared weapons of mass destruction ever made. Although technically able to successfully deploy their long-range nuclear missiles while moored at their docks, Soviet doctrine for these vessels was to have them attack North America while submerged under the Arctic Circle, avoiding the traversal of the GIUK gap to remain safe from enemy attack submarines and anti-submarine forces. The image on the coins shows the Typhoon Submarine in North Arctic Region.

BRITISH VANGUARD

The Vanguard class are the Royal Navy’s current nuclear ballistic miss le submarines, each armed with up to 16 trident II submarine – launched ballistic missiles. The class was introduced in 1994 as part of the UK governments Trident nuclear program. This class includes four boats Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant and Vengeance, all built at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd between 1986 and 1999. All four submarines in this class are based at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, 40 km west of Glasgow, Scotland. The image on the coin shows HMS Vanguard leaving its base in Glasgow.

 UNITED STATES OHIO 

The Ohio class is named after the lead submarine of this class, USS Ohio. The 14 Trident II SSBN’s together carry around fifty percent of the total U.S. Strategic warhead inventory. Although the missiles have no pre-set targets when the submarine goes on patrol, the platform when required, is capable of rapid targeting using secure and constant at sea communications links. The Ohio class is the largest type of submarine ever constructed for the U.S. Navy and are second to the Russian Typhoon class. The image of the coin shows the USS Ohio leaving its port in Hawaii.

FRENCH TRIOMPHANT

The Triomphant class of strategic missile submarines of the French navy are currently being introduced into service to provide the sea based component of the French ‘force de frappe’ (nuclear deterrent). On the 3rd/4th February 2009. it has been reported that the Triomphant apparently collided with the Royal Navy submarine vanguard. Triomphant was reported to have proceeded to brest under her own power, submerge, but with extensive damage. The French Navy plan to operate a force of four ships of which two are on patrol at any one time. The image on the coin shows the Le Triompant leaving the french naval base located at Ile Longue.