iscover
The Royal Navy’s Astute Class submarine, HMS Agamemnon, is headed for sea trials after sailing from the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
The newest Royal Navy conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Agamemnon (nicknamed “Awesome Aggie”) is now expected to begin sea trials before joining active service with the Royal Navy.
“Having seen first-hand the dedication and pride of the workforce in Barrow, and that of the thousands of people who work across our submarine supply chain in the United Kingdom, I know how much this milestone will mean to each and every one of them,” UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.
“As one of the most advanced submarines ever built, HMS Agamemnon will play a major role in further boosting our security here at home and across NATO.”
The Astute Class submarines are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. Weighing 7,400 tonnes and at 97 metres long, they are just short of the length of two Olympic swimming pools. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Submarines nuclear reactor, produced in Derby in the Midlands, the submarine will not need to refuel for the duration of its service life.
“Deterrence is the bedrock of our national security. Another formidable attack submarine going to sea strengthens that deterrence and demonstrates how we are stepping up to meet the threats of a more dangerous world,” Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said.
“I’ve been on board HMS Agamemnon and met her submariners and the skilled workers who delivered this incredible feat of engineering. It’s a powerful reminder of how strengthening our defence creates good jobs, opens up opportunity and reindustrialises our country.”
The submarine’s high-tech capabilities include stealthy precision strike, anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering. HMS Agamemnon will be armed with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk IV land attack missiles, able to strike targets at a range of more than 1,000 miles.
“HMS Agamemnon’s departure is a significant moment for the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise and is a clear demonstration of the engineering and industrial excellence of the Barrow workforce and across the wider UK supply chain,” said Maddy McTernan, Chief of Defence Nuclear.
“Submarine production will continue to boost British industry for decades to come backed by the commitments announced in the recent Defence Investment Plan.”
Alongside their role supporting the continuous at sea deterrent, Astute Class submarines are also involved in protecting maritime task groups and providing support to UK, NATO and coalition operations.
The Astute Class will be succeeded by up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines from the late 2030s, with steel due to be cut for the first-in-class in Barrow next year, continuing the town’s role at the heart of AUKUS delivery.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.