An event held recently at BAE Systems’ Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, saw the Royal Navy’s latest Astute Class submarine officially named Agamemnon, after the ancient Greek king. It is the sixth of seven Astute submarines being built by the company and is due to be launched later this year, ahead of being commissioned into the Royal Navy.

Steve Timms, managing director of BAE Systems’ Submarines, said: “This is a key milestone for Agamemnon and the UK nuclear submarine programme, and contributes to the Government’s ‘Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper’, which underpinned the importance of our business and Barrow in delivering this national endeavour. The Astute Class submarines are a vital component of our nation’s defence capabilities, and we are fully focused on completing the remainder of Agamemnon’s programme so she can join her sister submarines in service with the Royal Navy.”

Five Astute Class submarines are already in service, and work is also well under way in Barrow on the seventh and final boat. Some 97m long and weighing 7,400 tonnes, Astute Class submarines incorporate advanced nuclear technology and never need to be refuelled. Moreover, they can manufacture their own oxygen and fresh water from the ocean and can circumnavigate the globe without surfacing.

In addition to the Astute Class, construction is under way on the first three boats in the Dreadnought Class, which is the next generation of nuclear deterrent submarines that will replace the current Vanguard Class. BAE Systems is also developing the SSN-AUKUS programme, as part of the trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK and the USA.

BAE Systems’ submarines business already employs about 13,500 people, mainly in the North West of England, and that number is set to grow to around 17,000 in the coming years.