The world of naval defence and engineering took centre stage in Barrow-in-Furness earlier this week as His Majesty King Charles III presided over a landmark double ceremony at
BAE Systems. The King’s visit served to officially welcome HMS Agamemnon into the Royal Navy. This nuclear-powered vessel, weighing in at 7,400 tonnes and measuring 97m long, is the sixth of seven Astute class attack submarines to be commissioned. Named after a mythical ancient Greek king, the submarine will now move on to complete its final test and commissioning programme before commencing sea trials, marking a major milestone for the Astute class.
Earlier in the day, construction officially began on the final vessel of the UK’s next-generation nuclear deterrent fleet. Defence Secretary John Healey cut the first steel for HMS King George VI, the fourth and last of the Dreadnought submarines. This class is set to replace the current Vanguard-class boats and is expected to enter service from the early 2030s, guaranteeing the nation’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD).
Steve Timms, managing director of BAE Systems’ Submarines business, highlighted the significance of the event, stating that cutting steel on the fourth Dreadnought submarine demonstrates the substantial progress made on the programme. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, commended the “exceptional workforce at Barrow” for their dedication, skill, and innovation in driving these vital programmes forward.
In a final tribute to the town’s century-plus history as the home of UK submarine construction, His Majesty also visited Barrow Town Hall to bestow Royal Port status on Barrow, cementing its long and distinguished connection with the Royal Navy.