HMS Artful Prepares for Sea Trials

HMS Artful, the third of the Royal Navy’s new Astute Class attack submarines will set sail for sea trials this summer.

Artful, which will provide the Royal Navy with its most technologically advanced submarine, is currently preparing to leave the construction yard in Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials, before joining the Royal Navy fleet around the end of this year. The seven Astute Class submarines support the jobs of 3,700 workers and 400 supply companies across the UK supply chain.

Defence Secretary Fallon confirmed the news as he visited the home of the UK’s submarine manufacturing industry in Cumbria today. He was also able to see progress on an eight-year infrastructure upgrade programme at the yard, costing in excess of £300M, which will prepare the site for investment in a new fleet of four Successor Ballistic Missile submarines and the renewal of Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

The Astute submarine programme is a key part of our £163 billion plan to ensure that our armed forces have the equipment they need.

Artful will now join Ambush and Astute, helping to keep Britain safe. The next four boats are already under construction, securing thousands of jobs and showing our commitment to increase defence spending each year for the rest of the decade.

The 7,400-tonne Artful submarine will shortly leave the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, conduct sea trials, before sailing to its new home at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

Image: UK Government