Royal Navy’s New £1.4bn Nuclear Submarine HMS Agamemnon Sails First Time

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Royal Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Agamemnon, has begun sea trials after 13 years of construction and testing at Barrow-in-Furness. Once fully operational, it will enhance the UK’s naval defense by protecting nuclear deterrent submarines and strengthening maritime security.

The Royal Navy’s latest nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine, HMS Agamemnon, has embarked on its maiden voyage. Constructed and tested over a 13-year period at Barrow-in-Furness, the £1.4 billion Astute-class vessel left the shipyard to begin sea trials ahead of full operational deployment.

Measuring 97 meters in length, HMS Agamemnon is equipped with advanced Armament systems, including Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk IV land-attack missiles. Following the completion of trials, the submarine will proceed to the United Kingdom’s main submarine base at Faslane, Scotland, where it will join the Royal Navy’s fleet.

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins emphasized the strategic importance of the new submarine, noting that HMS Agamemnon will play a pivotal role in enhancing the UK’s war-fighting capabilities and national security. The vessel’s primary mission is to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent submarines, ensuring their operational readiness and survivability.

HMS Agamemnon is the sixth Astute-class submarine delivered by BAE Systems, part of a seven-submarine programme. The next vessel scheduled for delivery is HMS Achilles. The introduction of these submarines represents a significant modernization of the Royal Navy’s underwater fleet, combining advanced stealth, endurance, and weapons systems to address evolving maritime threats.

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