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One-hundred and seventy-five Royal Navy submariners have been caught using drugs between 2018 and 2024, new Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures show. The personnel reportedly tested positive for a range of banned or illegal substances during compulsory, random drug testing, including cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and steroids.

Traces of other banned narcotics such as benzodiazepine, a drug for treating anxiety and insomnia, were also found. In 52 of the cases, the submariners were reportedly serving on a submarine at the time they tested positive. Almost all of those caught are said to have been sacked.

The MoD figures, published in The Telegraph, were revealed through a Freedom of Information request.

The department said no drugs had been found in any search of a submarine during the period.

It is believed some of those who failed the drugs tests were working on the Navy's four Vanguard-class submarines which carry the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent missiles, The Telegraph reported.

The Submarine Service has come under increased pressure in recent years with repeated issues around availability, leading to lengthier deployments under the waves.

Former Navy commanders are concerned some submariners could be turning to drugs to help cope with the demands they are having to face.

Ryan Ramsey, a former submarine captain, said he wasn't "shocked" by the figures but was disappointed.

He told The Telegraph: "It's probably symptomatic of a change in society towards drugs and boredom at not being at sea on operations.

"The Royal Navy detection system clearly works and they deal with those who are caught, but this doesn't reach the root cause of why the individuals do this.

"The impact of losing people that you have spent money and time on specialist submarine training is significant. It means it increases the burden on other individuals on board if people suddenly leave."

Philip Ingram, a former Army officer, said the figures "reflect the prevalence of drugs in society and that service personnel, often under huge pressure, succumb to temptation like their civilian counterparts".

However, he added there is "no place" for drugs in the military and that there should "never be an excuse".

A Navy spokesperson said: "We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy towards drug misuse. Any individual found to have breached this policy can expect to face serious consequences, including immediate discharge from the Service.

"Such behaviour is entirely incompatible with the high standards of professionalism, discipline, and integrity expected.

"All personnel are required to undertake mandatory alcohol and substance misuse training on a biennial basis, ensuring they remain fully aware of their responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance."