Sixth powerful attack submarine departs Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials
The Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon, has left Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials, marking a milestone in UK defence capability and industrial capacity.
HMS Agamemnon, the sixth Astute-class submarine, departed Barrow-in-Furness to begin sea trials before entering active service with the Royal Navy. The conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine is the largest and most advanced ever operated by the Royal Navy, measuring 97 metres long and displacing 7,400 tonnes. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Submarines nuclear reactor, it requires no refuelling during its service life and will support UK and NATO operations, including maritime task group protection and intelligence gathering.
The submarine is equipped with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk IV land-attack missiles, capable of striking targets over 1,000 miles away. Its advanced capabilities include stealthy precision strike, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering, reinforcing the Royal Navy’s deterrent and warfighting readiness. HMS Agamemnon will join HMNB Clyde, contributing to the continuous at-sea deterrent and NATO’s collective defence as part of the Astute-class fleet.
HMS Agamemnon’s departure reflects years of collaboration between BAE Systems, the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, and the ship’s company, highlighting the expertise of the Barrow workforce and the broader UK submarine supply chain. The submarine’s construction underscores the UK’s commitment to maintaining a world-leading nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, with production supported by the Defence Investment Plan and the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.
The Defence Investment Plan allocates £47 billion to submarine programmes, enabling production of a submarine every 18 months under the SSN-AUKUS initiative. Barrow-in-Furness, a strategic national asset, benefits from significant economic growth and job creation, with over 14,000 roles supported by defence nuclear work and 1,800 additional roles created under the government’s plan.