Royal Navy welcomes Agamemnon: the sixth SSN Astute-class submarine

The Royal Navy’s latest Astute Class submarine has been officially named at BAE Systems’ Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Agamemnon - named after the ancient Greek king - is the sixth of seven Astute submarines being built by the Company. She is due to be launched later this year, ahead of being commissioned into the Royal Navy.
Five Astute Class submarines are already in service, while work is also well under way in Barrow on the seventh and final boat.
“HMS Agamemnon will play a vital role in defence of the nation, providing our Armed Forces with a competitive edge for decades to come. The Astute Class programme continues to support tens of thousands of jobs, with these submarines being a leading example of our commitment to investing in British sovereign capabilities,” said James Cartlidge, Minister for Defence Procurement.
At 97 metres long and weighing 7,400 tonnes, advanced nuclear technology means the Astute Class submarines never need to be refuelled. They can manufacture their own oxygen and fresh water from the ocean and are able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing.
Equipped with world-leading sensors, the Astute Class carry both Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM) and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.