Royal Navy’s newest Astute-class submarine arrives at Faslane

The Royal Navy’s newest Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon, has arrived at its home port at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland. The 318ft, or 97m, vessel reached the River Clyde after departing BAE Systems’ construction facility in Barrow. It will now undergo sea trials and operational preparation before joining the Navy’s operational fleet.

HMS Agamemnon is the sixth Astute-class submarine in service. The class also includes HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson. A seventh boat, HMS Achilles, is under construction.

The submarine is equipped with Tomahawk land-attack missiles and torpedoes. The torpedoes are capable of striking targets up to 30 miles away, according to the supplied material. The vessel has a crew of about 100 submariners.

During its journey to Faslane, HMS Agamemnon conducted its first dive at sea in the Navy’s Inner Hebrides exercise areas. Its performance will be tested over the coming months as the crew prepares the boat for future operations. Rear Admiral Andy Perks, the Navy’s submarine rear admiral, described the arrival as a significant milestone.

He credited the work of thousands of people across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and said he looked forward to the submarine joining the operational fleet. Commander John Gabb, the submarine’s commanding officer, said it was a privilege to be the first person to command the vessel at sea. He described it as quiet and equipped with advanced sonar, while saying the crew would spend the coming months becoming familiar with it.

The arrival coincided with the 125th anniversary of the launch of Holland 1, the Royal Navy’s first submarine. Astute-class submarines are described by the Navy as its most advanced and powerful attack-submarine class.