HMS Artful, the UK’s third £1 billion Astute Class nuclear submarine, was lowered into the water at Barrow-in-Furness on 17 May.

The Ministry of defence said that “moving the nuclear-powered attack submarine out of the BAE Systems construction hall and into the water was a huge milestone in the Astute submarine programme”.

Weighing 7,400 tonnes and 97m long, HMS Artful is the third of seven Astute Class submarines being built for the Royal Navy. Two of them — HMS Astute and HMS Ambush — have already been handed over to the Royal Navy, and construction of the remaining five continues.

Now in the water, HMS Artful will begin the next phase of her test and commissioning process, ahead of sea trials next year.

Astute programme director Stuart Godden said: “The launch of HMS Artful is another significant step forward in the Astute programme. Witnessing a submarine move out of the hall and be readied for launch is truly inspiring — and a source of great pride to all those who have played a part in getting her to this stage.”