Royal Navy's brand new £1.4billion submarine sails for first time - complete with mega Tomahawk cruise missiles

Royal Navy's brand new £1.4billion submarine sails for first time - complete with mega Tomahawk cruise missiles Built and tested over more than 13 years, the 97-metre-long HMS Agamemnon is armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, and is designed to hunt enemy submarines while protecting Britain's nuclear deterrent The Royal Navy's brand-new £1.4billion hunter-killer submarine has sailed for the first time. The nuclear-powered HMS Agamemnon is the sixth of seven Astute-class submarines being built by BAE Systems, with the Government committing £6billion to infrastructure programmes in Barrow-in-Furness and Raynesway to help increase production to one submarine every 18 months. Nicknamed "Awesome Aggie" by her crew, the enormous vessel left Barrow-in-Furness, where she has been built and tested for more than 13 years. Her departure required her to navigate the shipyard's docks and locks before heading towards the Irish Sea. The 97-metre-long submarine weighs around 7,400 tonnes and is armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking targets up to 1,000 miles away, alongside Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes. She is designed to hunt enemy submarines, gather intelligence and protect Britain's aircraft carriers and nuclear deterrent. Thousands of engineers, technicians, software developers and shipwrights contributed to the vessel's construction, as well as preparations involving her 100-strong crew. She will now undergo sea trials and further training before arriving at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland, home of the UK's submarine force. First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said: "In an increasingly dangerous world, sea power remains fundamental to keeping our country and people safe. "Our submarine fleet is essential to that effort, which is why I am delighted that HMS Agamemnon, the sixth of our Astute-class submarines, has now begun sea trials and will soon arrive at HMNB Clyde to join the fleet. "She embodies the best of British engineering and the professionalism of our submariners and will be one of the most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. "As we continue to strengthen our warfighting readiness, HMS Agamemnon will play a central role in keeping the United Kingdom safe, contributing to NATO's collective defence and ensuring we are ready to lead, fight and win." Among her missions will be protecting the submarines carrying Britain's nuclear deterrent from potential interference by hostile vessels. She was formally commissioned into the Royal Navy in September 2025, in the presence of King Charles. The new submarine is the sixth Royal Navy vessel to bear the name Agamemnon, after the legendary Greek king of Mycenae who led Greek forces in the siege of Troy. An earlier ship bearing the name was commanded by Admiral Lord Nelson, who reportedly regarded her as his favourite vessel. One more Astute-class submarine remains to complete the seven-strong fleet. HMS Achilles is in the advanced stages of construction at BAE Systems' Devonshire Dock Hall complex, which dominates the Barrow skyline.