The King has officially commissioned HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class attack submarine, during a ceremony at BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, UK Defence Journal reports.
Once operational, the submarine will join her five Astute-class sisters at HM Naval Base Clyde. Capable of deploying Spearfish torpedoes against enemy submarines and surface ships, as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike land targets at ranges of up to 1,000 miles, Agamemnon will contribute to protecting the UK’s nuclear deterrent, supporting carrier strike groups and safeguarding undersea infrastructure.
Around 500 guests, including senior politicians, naval leaders, industry executives and families of the crew, attended the commissioning.
The ceremony included addresses from Defence Secretary John Healey, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, and BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn.
First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins highlighted the significance of the milestone: “The commissioning of HMS Agamemnon and the steel cut for HMS King George VI mark significant milestones in the Royal Navy’s enduring commitment to safeguarding our nation. These achievements underscore the critical role of the Continuous at Sea Deterrent and the importance of cutting-edge warfighting capabilities in an ever-evolving threat landscape.”
