N700075 HMS UPHOLDER/ HMCS VICTORIA CLASS SUBMARINE

Upholder-class (now Victoria) -class units were British, and are now Canadian classic diesel-electric fighter submarines that were built and launched between 1986 and 1993. A total of 4 ships of this class were built, out of 12 planned. A single unit of this type was 70.25 m long and 7.6 m wide at the time of launching, with an underwater displacement of about 2,400 tons. The maximum underwater speed was up to 20 knots. The armament consists of 6 bow 533 mm torpedo tubes with a torpedo reserve of 12. The Upholder-class (now Victoria)-class units were originally commissioned by the British Royal Navy to replace the Oberon-class submarines that had been in service since the early 1960s. The design of the new ships was developed from scratch and used many experiences and solutions borrowed from British nuclear powered submarines. First of all, the Upholder units received a very streamlined hull, very different from that known from the Oberon type, very modern (as for the beginning of the 1990s!) Electronic equipment, and the underwater swimming range and overall performance were significantly improved. The unit was also largely automated, which made it possible to reduce the crew. Despite the fact that the units of this type were modern when they entered service, in the mid-90s of the twentieth century a decision was made in Great Britain to withdraw them from the line for economic and resale reasons. Finally, Canada decided to purchase the ships, where they serve as the Victoria class. The first ship of this class to fly under the flag of a maple leaf in 2000.