Royal Navy's new attack submarine HMS Agamemnon arrives at Faslane

The Royal Navy's newest Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon, has arrived at its home port at HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland. The vessel reached the River Clyde after departing Barrow last week and completing its first dive at sea during the journey north. It will now undergo sea trials and operational preparation over the coming months before joining the operational fleet.

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The submarine is the sixth Astute-class boat in the fleet and the latest addition to the Navy's hunter-killer force. According to the service, HMS Agamemnon is equipped with Tomahawk land-attack missiles and torpedoes, and is designed to strike targets at range. Rear Admiral Andy Perks, the Navy's submarine rear admiral, described the arrival as a significant milestone and said the delivery reflected the work of thousands of people across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

He said he was pleased to welcome the submarine and its ship's company to the Clyde. HMS Agamemnon is about 318ft long, or 97m, and has a crew of about 100 submariners. The Navy says the Astute class is its most advanced and powerful class of attack submarine.

The vessel's commanding officer, Commander John Gabb, said it was an enormous privilege to be the first person to command the boat at sea, adding that the submarine is very quiet and has world-class sonar. He said the crew would get to know the vessel over the coming months as they prepare for operations. The arrival matters because the Astute-class forms a central part of the United Kingdom's undersea deterrent and conventional strike capability, even though it is distinct from the country's ballistic missile submarines.

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The delivery of a new boat also shows the continuing pace of the Royal Navy's submarine programme at a time when undersea warfare remains a major focus for NATO navies. A seventh Astute-class submarine, HMS Achilles, is already under construction, indicating that the fleet is still expanding. The submarine's arrival also came on the 125th anniversary of the launch of Holland 1, the Royal Navy's first submarine, giving the milestone added historical resonance.

HMS Agamemnon joins other Astute-class submarines already in service, including HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson. The class is built to operate as a stealthy attack force, and the Navy says the boats are among its most technologically advanced assets. What remains to be seen is how quickly HMS Agamemnon completes its sea trials and when it will formally enter operational service.

The Navy has said performance testing will continue over the coming months, and the ship's company will use that period to prepare for deployment. Further updates are likely to focus on the progress of trials, any formal commissioning steps, and the wider submarine construction programme.

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