HMS Agamemnon, Britain’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, has left the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness after 13 years under construction.
The 7,400-tonne, 97-metre vessel will now undergo sea trials before formally entering Royal Navy service. It is the sixth Astute-class submarine and has been built at a cost of £1.65 billion.
Agamemnon’s first voyage took it through the shipyard’s dock system, into the Walney Channel and out into the Irish Sea, marking its first time in open waters.
The submarine was commissioned in 2013 and had been expected by the Ministry of Defence to become operational by 2022. Its crew will number about 100.
HMS Agamemnon begins sea trials
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the submarine “embodies the best of British engineering and the professionalism of our submariners”.
He added that it would be “one of the most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy” and would play a central role in protecting the UK, supporting Nato’s collective defence and strengthening Britain’s warfighting readiness.
Once in operational service, Agamemnon will join HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson in the Royal Navy’s hunter-killer submarine fleet.
The vessel was named after the ancient Greek king Agamemnon, in a reference to Lord Nelson’s favourite ship, which was affectionately known as “Eggs and Bacon”. It was officially named at the Barrow-in-Furness site, where it was blessed and christened with a bottle of beer from the local Ulverston Brewing Company broken against its hull.
The submarine had been due to be launched in 2024, before its departure from the shipyard was delayed. Its arrival comes amid concerns over the availability of Britain’s attack submarines.
Reports earlier this year said all five other Astute-class submarines were in port awaiting maintenance or repairs. The vessels carry Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, and are also used to help protect the Vanguard submarines carrying the UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent.
Former First Sea Lord and Labour security minister Lord West described the lack of available Astute submarines as “unacceptable” and “very worrying”. He said attack submarines were “fundamental for looking after our ballistic missile submarines”.
He blamed a lack of investment in dry docks, maintenance facilities, personnel and spare parts for the situation, adding: “If we haven’t even got an attack submarine available for use, then things are looking pretty bad.”
The launch also comes as the head of the UK’s military has warned that the threats facing Britain are greater than at any time since the Cold War.
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton said Russia had been “probing, challenging, testing our defences” and was “raising the stakes and risks crossing a line”. He said: “The risks and threats to this country are greater than I have known since the Cold War.”
