At the BAE Systems facilities in Barrow-on-Furness, the Royal Navy celebrated the float-out of the sixth of its new Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, HMS Agamemnon. This unit marks a new milestone in the UK’s submarine capability renewal program, aimed at replacing the Trafalgar class.
As of now, the Astute class stands as one of the most modern nuclear-powered submarine fleets and is a key element in the UK’s naval and deterrence strategy. Before the float-out of Agamemnon, the Royal Navy had five units in service: HMS Astute (commissioned in 2010), followed by HMS Ambush (2013), HMS Artful (2016), HMS Audacious (2020), and HMS Anson (2022).
Named after the Greek king who besieged Troy, Agamemnon was laid down on July 18, 2013, and was floated out today, October 3, at the BAE Systems facilities in Barrow-on-Furness. With a displacement of 7,400 tons and powerful armament that includes Spearfish torpedoes and TLAM (Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile) land-attack missiles, it is set to perform a wide range of missions upon entering service.
The Royal Navy emphasized in its official statement that the new submarine will be “…at the forefront of submarine operations in the second half of the 21st century, protecting the UK’s nuclear deterrent and carrier strike groups from hostile threats, gathering intelligence, launching incursions by the Royal Marines, and, when necessary, striking UK enemies on land with pinpoint accuracy using its Tomahawk cruise missiles.”
Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, stated: “This is a hugely significant milestone for everyone at BAE Systems, the Nuclear Defense Enterprise, and the Royal Navy. The design and construction of a nuclear submarine are incredibly complex and represent a true national effort, so I pay tribute to the thousands of highly skilled professionals who have contributed to bringing Agamemnon to this stage.”
In the coming weeks and months, the new submarine will undergo intensive harbor trials before starting its navigation and immersion tests, where its sensor, weapon, and combat systems will be meticulously evaluated. While no exact dates have been provided, HMS Agamemnon is expected to enter service by late 2025.
Finally, regarding the Astute program, BAE Systems is finalizing the construction of the last submarine of the class, HMS Agincourt (S125), and is progressing in the construction of the first of the new Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines. These efforts are also complemented by the design and development of the future class of submarines that will replace the Astute class as part of the AUKUS program, driven alongside Australia and the United States.
Photographs BAE Systems/Royal Navy.
You may also like: The fifth of the new Taigei-class submarines of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force was launched
