UK’s sixth Astute-class submarine Agamemnon formally launched

HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarine built for the UK’s Silent Service, has been formally launched at BAE Systems’ facility in Barrow, following an operation to move the 7,400-tonne boat from the construction hall into the neighboring basin.

Nicknamed “Awesome Aggie,” this is the sixth of seven Astute-class submarines built for the Royal Navy over the past quarter of a century.

According to the Royal Navy, when it joins the fleet, the submarine will serve at the “leading edge of submarine operations into the second half of the 21st Century, shielding the UK’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carrier task groups from hostile threats, gathering intelligence, launching Royal Marine raids and, where necessary, striking at the UK’s enemies on land with pinpoint accuracy through her Tomahawk cruise missiles.”

Agamemnon’s Commanding Officer David ‘Bing’ Crosby said it had taken a “superb” collaborative effort between BAE Systems Submarines, Agamemnon’s crew and the wider Astute enterprise to ready the leviathan for its launch.

“It is fantastic to finally get Awesome Aggie into the water in preparation for the final stages of build and commissioning of this extremely complex and highly capable submarine… I am looking forward to working with our friends at BAE Systems, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the wider enterprise to get Agamemnon through these final tests and in readiness for her exit from Barrow,” Crosby stated.

Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, commented: “The design and build of a nuclear-powered submarine is incredibly complex and a truly national endeavour, and I pay tribute to the thousands of highly-skilled people who have helped get Agamemnon to this stage. Submarines are a vital component of the UK’s defence capabilities and we must now work collectively to ensure Agamemnon is ready to join her sister submarines in service with the Royal Navy as soon as possible.”

Agamemnon was named at the beginning of 2024, taking its name from an ancient Greek king.

To note, at 97 meters long and weighing 7,400 tonnes, the Astute-class submarines are said to be the first nuclear-powered submarines to be designed entirely in a three-dimensional, computer-aided environment. As disclosed, they can manufacture their own oxygen and fresh water from the ocean and are said to be able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing. The submarines carry both Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM) and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

Five Astute-class submarines are already in service, while work is also well underway in Barrow on the seventh and final boat, HMS Agincourt.