Hundreds of Royal Navy submariners awarded medal for their part in global missions

Hundreds of Royal Navy submariners have been awarded a medal to mark their deployments on global missions.

Crew members of Astute and Trafalgar hunter-killer class subs dating back to 2008 were awarded the General Service Medal.

It is reportedly the first time personnel who serve in the Silent Service have been given an award to honour their work outside of major wars.

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The medal features an image of the late Queen Elizabeth on the front, with the words 'FOR CAMPAIGN SERVICE' inscribed on the back.

The ribbon is striped green and blue, with the words 'GLOBAL OPERATIONS' inscribed on the metallic clasp attaching it to the medal.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "We are pleased to confirm that the General Service Medal has been awarded to eligible submarine personnel in recognition of their service.

"We cannot comment further on the criteria for the medal or specific submarine operations."

Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary announced £4bn worth of contracts with British firms as part of the development of the Aukus hunter-killer submarine programme.

Grant Shapps said the submarines, which are to be nuclear-powered and conventionally armed, would be the "most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy".

The hunter-killer Astute class of submarines includes HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson.

The final two submarines in the class – Agamemnon and Agincourt – are still in development.