HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s newest submarine, has completed her first dive as part of a three-day series of tests.
The recently launched boat was partially submerged in the Devonshire Dock at BAE Systems in Barrow, Cumbria, in a basin dive and trim test to confirm various key attributes.
These include ensuring the correct operation of the ballast tanks which ensure the boat can surface, and measuring the centre of gravity of the 7,400-tonne, 97-metre-long attack submarine.
Once all tests are completed the new Astute-class submarine, recently commissioned in a ceremony attended by King Charles III, will sail from Barrow and head for her future base at Faslane in Scotland, formally known as HMNB Clyde.
HMS Agamemnon is the sixth of seven Astute boats; HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson are already in service and the final boat, HMS Achilles is under construction, with an expected completion window of late 2028 to early 2029.
Head of the Astute Delivery Team at the Submarine Delivery Agency Henry Musgrave commented: “The successful completion of HMS Agamemnon’s trim dive marks a pivotal milestone in our mission to safely deliver available and capable submarines to the Royal Navy in defence of our nation.
This achievement reflects the exceptional collaboration between the SDA and our partners across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent as a national endeavour.”
The role of British attack submarines is varied, taking in shielding the CASD deterrent submarines from hostile activity and detection, protecting task groups and conducting global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The Astute-class boats will eventually be replaced by the forthcoming SSN-AUKUS class of submarines. Like their predecessors they will be nuclear-powered, and as the name suggests they will be jointly procured as part of an tripartite agreement between the U.K., the U.S. and Australia.
Design work is continuing on these future boats; two £85 million contracts were awarded to BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce in 2021. They are expected to enter service with the Royal Navy in the late 2030s and Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s.
In the U.K.’s recent Strategic Defence Review the Government announced it was intending to build “up to 12” SSN-AUKUS submarines; Australia plans to build five and acquire three Virginia-class boats from the United States.
- You can read more details on the U.K. Government website and the BAE Systems website