The Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon, has entered the final stage of commissioning and is expected to begin sea trials by the end of 2026.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the vessel will leave the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard later this year to begin the evaluation phase that precedes its entry into operational service.
In response to a question raised in Parliament, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Luke Pollard said the government continues to work closely with industry partners to keep the program on schedule. However, he emphasized that, for security reasons, no date will be disclosed for when the submarine will achieve full operational capability, as this will depend on the successful completion of its sea trials.
Built by BAE Systems, HMS Agamemnon is the sixth of seven Astute-class submarines developed to replace the aging Trafalgar class. Equipped with Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, the submarine enhances the Royal Navy’s strike capabilities and strategic operations. The first five submarines of the class are already in service, while the seventh and final vessel, HMS Achilles, remains under construction.
After being launched in October 2024, the HMS Agamemnon will undergo an extended period of testing and preparation, a phase that took several years for previous submarines in the class before they officially joined the fleet. Together with the Vanguard-class submarines, the Astute class forms the United Kingdom’s nuclear submarine force, responsible for deterrence missions, intelligence gathering, long-range strike operations, and maritime security missions.
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Source: UK Defence Journal | Photos: Royal Navy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
