A nuclear-powered submarine damaged in a collision with a merchant vessel remains in port a week after the incident off the coast of Gibraltar.
HMS Ambush was forced to dock in Gibraltar with visible damage after the collision on July 20, and the submarine is still being assessed.
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Officials said the collision with the vessel, reported to be a tanker, had caused "some external damage" to the hi-tech submarine, which cost more than £1 billion.
Photographs showed the vessel's conning tower badly damaged, with a large dent in its front as a result of what the Ministry of Defence described as a "glancing" collision.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: "Some external damage was sustained by the submarine, and the extent is being investigated.
"We are not prepared to give specific details, but the submarine is absolutely safe. Comprehensive checks of HMS Ambush have shown that her reactor remains completely safe and there hasn't been any increase in radiation as a result of this incident."
The submarine will leave Gibraltar "as soon as the current work package is complete".
Investigations are being carried out into the cause of the collision
The Royal Navy spokesman said: "An immediate ship's investigation is already under way. The Defence Safety Authority will conduct an independent service inquiry into the incident.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further while this investigation is ongoing."
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The submarine was involved in the accident despite being equipped with what the Royal Navy boasts are "world-leading sensors".
The Astute-class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful hunter-killer attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.
The 7,400-tonne boats carry torpedoes for targeting enemy submarines and ships and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
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