HMS Parthian was the lead boat of the six Royal Navy Parthian-class submarines, all launched in 1929.

The submarine was nicknamed Peanut, from the identity letters PN painted on the fin.

Parthian underwent a refit in the United States from late 1941 until March 1942 before returning to the Mediterranean, where she carried out supply operations between July and October to Malta carrying aviation fuel and ammunition.

To increase her cargo capacity, one of the batteries was removed and no spare torpedoes were carried.

In May 1943 the submarine sank a number of Italian sailing vessels in the Aegean Sea.