His Majesty King Charles has officially commissioned HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class attack submarine, during a ceremony at BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.
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.
Agamemnon’s commanding officer, Commander David Crosby, described the submarine as “a product of stealth, equipped with world-leading sensors and crewed by a highly-trained and dedicated crew. Together, they form a formidable capability, vital to protecting the United Kingdom’s security interests and supporting our global responsibilities.”
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.
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.”
On the same day, steel was cut for HMS King George VI, the fourth and final Dreadnought-class submarine. Once completed, the class will ensure the UK’s nuclear deterrent remains unbroken well into the 2060s. To recognise Barrow’s historic role in British shipbuilding and submarine construction, the King also visited the town hall where he formally granted the title of Royal Port of Barrow.
Commander “Bing”, previous and first CO of HMS Anson, he takes the boats out of build, delivers them to Faslane then leaves to go to another boat, … Achilles or Dreadnought next… whats your thoughts ? I would say Achilles
Seeing as it is taking about 20 years to build one submarine, will he still be in the Navy by then?
Are you sure about your information? Her keel was ceremonially laid on 13 October 2011 and sh was rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall on 19 April 2021 and launched on 20 April 2021. Do you realise (a) the detail required of building a submarine more complex than the space shuttle and (b) a calendar? 2011 – 2021 is NOT 20 years.
Think you need to study a little more
Do your recognise sarcasm ?🤔🤦♂️
Do you recognise factual evidence from back tracking and blaming “sarcasm” ?
I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick cobber
I replied to a comment, yet its me thats wrong, for stating facts and coreect information?
Maybe try being Civil, relax a bit, chill out ?
Works well enough usually.
Im done.. I explain facts about Anson, yet you cannot understand..
Have a nice day.. or is that not civil enought for you??
Thanks Dave, I’m having a great day, making some space for my new Bike, can’t wait till It’s delivered, first had one of them in 2007 (it’s not quite 20 years) but they are still great bikes.
It’s nice to have a relaxing hobby.
Your a bad man.
It’s been said before ! 😁
I’m curious how you know that what just looks like simple misinformation, or at best, a mistake? is actually in fact intended as sarcasm?
Tone of voice usually provides the nuance required to detect humour, typed comments just look like a straightforward, and deliberate attempts to misleading.
Some people have it, some people don’t.
Some people have humour, some people don’t.
Some people Think about what is said, some people don’t.
Some people deliberately look to argue, some people don’t.
some people need to chill out, relax and understand that life is too short to get all upset about a chat site.
Alright mate? That’s the problem with the internet isn’t it? It’s only sarcasm if you know what the truth is. If you don’t then it’s misinformation that then gets passed on to other people and it then becomes their truth and for years to come people end up parroting the same old mantras that some dude on the internet just put up for a laugh. Lol, Russians need to cut all the undersea cables and free us from this mess! That last bit was sarcasm.. 😀
Yes, there’s a fine line between Sarcasm and Intellect, unfortunately some lack either !
Me ? Thick as two short planks but happy as Larry, it’s better to be this way.
Sarcasm does tend to have at least half an eye on reality surely. Isn’t that the point otherwise it’s just a playground wind up.
Yes, that’s the whole idea of sarcasm, it mixes fact and fiction in a way that makes (some) people think.
I am continually amazed to see just how negative some posters on this site (and other sites, like Navy Lookout) are.
They’re never happier than ignoring evidence of progress so they can have a good whine. It’s often dressed up with ‘sarcasm’ but it amounts to the same thing.
Getting old is surely a terrible thing.
Agreed, You won’t catch me on here or there, whinging or dressing things up as sarcasm, oh no siree.
We spend way too much money on defence and we don’t need anything like the amount of Ships, Tanks and Aircraft we have and let’s face it, most of them are tied up in port or stored in big sheds not being used.
Nope, you won’t catch me being sarcastic like a terrible old person that’s for sure.
I know it’s the U.S.N. but they can build a Virginia in five years…laid down to commissioned. It takes us 20 ?
No, not 20, clearly someone has no idea how a callender works
Yes the argument is full of holes.
Sorry…just 14 then. Way better. I think you’ll find we are in 2025 now!
2011..2021 not 14 years.. not the last time I checked
O.K. Let’s kill this off. Agamemnon was laid down on the 18th July 2013 and commisioned today, the 22nd September 2025 SO… 12 years,2 months and 4 days. If we’re all happy now clap your hands…..
ANSON as per MY comment….
Her keel was ceremonially laid on 13 October 2011 and sh was rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall on 19 April 2021 and launched on 20 April 2021. Do you realise (a) the detail required of building a submarine more complex than the space shuttle and (b) a calendar? 2011 – 2021 is NOT 20 years.
You do understand that launched isn’t the same as built.
O.K. Dave. Time to give it a rest I think.
Were not a superpower mate. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Hi Geoff the U.S. have a slightly different way of doing things essentially they lay the keel when they have pretty much the entire submarine pre build
If you look at at USS New Jersey you can see it takes them about about 8 years from construction start to commissioning.
March 2016: Construction began.
March 25, 2019: Keel was put down
November 13, 2021: The submarine was christened.
April 14, 2022: The submarine was launched.
September 22, 2024: The USS New Jersey commissioned
A defense and an admission. Yes there was a large dollop of sarcasm involved, but HMS Agamemnon was laid down in 2013 and commissioned in 2025. That’s 12 years. Between the first cut and laying down I saw was 9 years, so that’s 21 years in total. But going back I see I was using stats from the Dreadnaught so it’s probably a bit off. By contrast the Americans are currently taking an averageof 5 years to get an attack sub into service. Until recently they were churning out a sub every 18 months. So, with a best of 12 years, it still seems a long time.
I was refdering to Anson.. as per my post, and all the other comments
You’ve misunderstood. Multiple boats are under construction at once in Barrow. While HMS Agamemnon is undergoing sea trials, HMS Achilles is next for commissioning in 2028 , with HMS Dreadnought already a fair way along (first steel cut in 2016) followed by HMS Valiant (First steel cut 2019) and HMS Warspite (first steel cut in 2023). HMS George VI is the fourth submarine in the class, not the first.
CLEARLY not misunderstood. Its not 20 years .. Her keel was ceremonially laid on 13 October 2011 and she was rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall on 19 April 2021 and launched on 20 April 2021. Hardly 20 years!
I am done with trying to explain
You don’t need to explain, just relax about it, you’ll feel better if you do.
Besides 14 years is way better than 20.
I am perfeclty relaxed, luke I stated originally hardly 20!!
Some people need to understand how to use a callender and stop being a keyboard warrior.. stay in your armchair and keep taking your meds #troll #bot
Irony again.
😂
Your name states EVERYTHING about you!
I know, It’s great isn’t it.
Got it from the TVR owners site a few years back, usual sort of thing, name calling, troll calling, aggresive typing (using BIG LETTERS TO PORTRAY ANGER ) you know mate.
I thought “I know, I’ll use that as my handle”, no-one would be stupid enough to try to pick on a Halfwit.
Would they ?
There’s a rumour going round that this site is bringing back the up and downvote system.
You have a TVR?
SS, That sounds terrifiying.
Zepher, Cerbera 4.5 AJPV8 Red Rose upgrade, bought it back in 1996 when our Daughter was young as we needed a practical 4 seater ! I kid you not, It was perfect with the child seat strapped in.
Absolute missile back then.
Absolute money pit ever since.
Kept in a bag filled with warm air and a dehumidified garage now. One day the streets will resinate with It’s mighty sound but I’m more a Biker now the kids have flown !
You have a TVR, what a halfwit..TVR owners site..I think you mean TVR owners support group.😂😂😜😁
Yes Jonathan, a great big long low ballistic missile of a car with a nasty great engine that frightens little old grannies.
Well that’s when It works !
So, tell me about your Electric thing, what noise does it make ? Would you say It’s like my V8 at all ? 😂😂😂😂
Part of the information I used was incorrect. I mistakenly used the first cut for a dreadnought to when the keel was laid down. I confessed to my mistake. It’s not all about being keyboard warriors.
All said and told, 12 yrs between start and finish is a bloody long time and my original post stands that in between a submarine build and COMMISIONING a mans career could have long ended.
Well you certainly upset “Rodney” and left us to clear up the mess.
“my name’s not Dave, It’s Rodney, oh, “so why do they call you Dave then” ?
Exactly what is a “callender” Dave? You keep referring to one, but all that comes to mind is something my missus has for the veggies…
It’s a simple chart used by people who otherwise wouldn’t know what day it was.
We have one in the Kitchen, It was a 1988 version which kept time pretty well for the first year but not so good now, we seem to mis lots of days and It’s a real bummer planning Holidays.
Callender is a township in San Luis Obispo County, California.
Calendar; a system by which the beginning, length, and subdivisions of the year are fixed.
Calendar, just remember that it has an A in the part an E in the middle part and an A in the last part, no need to remember how many L’s as it only has one.
“Callander” , is also a place near Stirling, I go camping there most years with a group of Biker Mates. It gets rather messy mainly due to the crap riding weather and the Midges (and Whiskey tasting). Campsite just up the road from “Killmahog” !
It’s not that we can’t build them quicker. Its more the funding line available from the MOD dictates the timeline.Just like T26. Its been stretched out to supposedly save money.
This is the problem.
For decades defence has been run by accountants, who only see as far ahead as this year’s budget.
They don’t see that spending more to build them quicker will ultimately save money in the long term.
It’s definitely not done to save money, it is to keep the skills pipeline and the production line going.
If you knock out seven subs in a class out and then have nothing in the order book for five years, the line, the staff and the skills will go. The production line gets shut down or used for other things. Bits go missing. Staff get accustomed to sitting rather than working.
With other submarine orders on the books BAe can look to roll through builds quicker and more efficiently, hopefully bringing the costs down.
That is all very true. They have also looked for in year savings. That’s certainly been the case for T26. Thankfully. Sub building is looking to be in a much better place compared to a couple of decades ago.
From what I can see, it averages out at ~11 years from steel cut to commission for each sub.
Astute (first in class ) took 9
Agamemnon took 12
Still too long all V&C’s built in 20 yrs and that was all new technology. All the S class in 9 yrs!! Not enough ship builders?
More like HMG deferring their liabilities to save money
Indeed
Sorry V&C in 8 years
As an old codger am I allowed to mention that we built the Polaris boats in less than 5 years each at a published cost of around £40 million each (obnviously made possible with my own (miniscule) efforts?
At the time we knew the Vbombers would no longer get through, Skybolt had been cancelled, so the very existence of the UK nuclear deterrent was at risk. Adding to it all we had just avoided WW3 in the Cuban missile crisis. Is’s wonderful what can be achieved when there is a real sense of urgency!
Hello Trevor, any chance you could go and help dismantle them now please, They are in the way a bit !!!
(for anyone with no clue, this is sarcasm, just thought I’d mention it before someone got all upset).
Well I still have my trusty bolt cutters and hard hat in the garage, but it might take me a while to figure it out and give you a quote. Last I heard it was up to 23 boats, so might be best to train up the grandson as well….
🙂 Brilliant! Made me smile. 🙂
I grew up outside Barrow and my father was a senior electrical engineer within the dockside test organisation. Between 1963 and 1973 we saw 4 R class, 5 V&Cs, and 1S class built. Vickers employed over 25000 people and had a world wide reputation for quality and design. Then Tony Benn nationalised Ship building in 1976 and Vickers was taken over and ship building in the Uk ruined forever. After denationalisation we have seen VSEL build the T class in good order producing another world beater but since BAE took over a slow and expensive class of A boats taking almost 25 years just to get to 6 of 7 boats and at over 1 billion a pop and they don’t work. No wonder the UK has got to pot😵💫
The Astute’s don’t work, can you explain please?
I was under the impression that the problems were largely down to a lack of maintenance capacity, not fundamental issues with the boats.
Look at the big picture. You will see it is not just lack of infrastructure but also lack of spares. Their seatime is poor
I grew up outside Barrow and my father was a senior electrical engineer within the dockside test organisation. Between 1963 and 1973 we saw 4 R class, 5 V&Cs, and 1S class built. Vickers employed over 25000 people and had a world wide reputation for quality and design. Then Tony Benn nationalised Ship building in 1976 and Vickers was taken over and ship building in the Uk ruined forever. After denationalisation we have seen VSEL build the T class in good order producing another world beater but since BAE took over a slow and expensive class of A boats taking almost 25 years just to get to 6 of 7 boats and at over 1 billion a pop and they don’t work. No wonder the UK has got to pot😵💫
Mike, How much would I love to see the names Vickers, Armstrong, Avro, Supermarine, English Electric, De Haviland and so on. We really did rock the military world back then.
English Electric is my all time favourite name, and their (Napier) Deltic diesels are still running… if barely.
You can still see all those names, and many other historic defence industry company names… its called bae. They bought out most of them (whilst killing off any competition)
Yes, BAE Systems is the “British Leyland” of the Defence world !
Funny enough a lot of famous old British Motorcycle names are still around, allbeit Chinese and Indian owned.
You can even buy an MG these days, although they have absolutely nothing to do with Morris Garage… and they certainly weren’t built in Oxford.
Yes there are so many old British (and others) names being used now, mostly Chinese owned.
In the Bike world, you’d be amazed by just how many.
BSA, JAP, BSA, Royal Enfield, Benelli, Morbidelli, Moto Morini, AJS infact the list is huge and people love a bit of nostalgia, most don’t know where they are built now. They are all “Bargains” and people love a bargain.
Maybe BAE should rename their various divisions back into their pre-conglomerate names?
Vickers could build submarines, Hawker could do fighter jets, De Havilland do other aircraft, and Vosper do surface ships?
Bristol of course would do missiles, and Saunders-Roe could do rocketry.
why do you say Astute class doesn’t work?
Look at the time they are operational at sea!!!
why do you say Astute class doesn’t work?
What brilliant news! They can tie this up next to the others and whinge about manning issues, training and technical problems. We really are in a deep, deep hole.