Like some subs round place were destroyed (7-7)

I believe the answer is:

nuclear-powered

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'like some subs round place were destroyed' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'round place were destroyed' is the wordplay.
'destroyed' indicates an anagram.
'round'+'place'+'were'='roundplacewere'
'roundplacewere' with letters rearranged gives 'NUCLEAR-POWERED'.

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I've seen this clue in The Times.

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