Vickers' third 'nuke', Warspite, was launched on 25th September, 1965, and commissioned on 18th April 1967. Unfortunately, completion of the Valiant Class was held back to speed work on the Resolution Class Polaris submarines. However, as soon as Resolution was launched, no time was lost in completing the Valiant Class and starting work on a Repeat Valiant Class - the Vickers-built Churchill and Courageous, together with Cammell Laird's Conqueror, the only British nuclear Fleet submarine to be built outside Barrow.
CHURCHILL CLASS
Whilst not officially recognised as a first of class, Churchill was considered as such by many, being the first of the 'Improved Valiant' Class. One of these submarines proved the inherent defensive/offensive capability of a nuclear submarine beyond doubt during the Falklands conflict, confining the entire opposing surface fleet to harbour and then striking with devastating effect when one warship made a run for it.