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Press release Sixth powerful attack submarine departs Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials

UK and Euro-Atlantic security will soon be boosted, as the Royal Navy’s sixth powerful attack submarine departs from Barrow-in-Furness. 

From: Ministry of Defence and Defence Nuclear Enterprise

Published: 25 September 2026HMS Agamemnon at Barrow-in-Furness Latest Astute Class submarine, HMS Agamemnon has sailed from the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.

She will now undergo sea trials - a major step towards delivering the highly capable attack submarine to bolster security for the UK and the Euro-Atlantic.

The UK’s submarine industrial base is benefitting from £6 billion of Government investment over the Spending Review period and sustains thousands of jobs.

The newest Royal Navy conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Agamemnon and nicknamed ‘Awesome Aggie’, will now begin sea trials - a period of testing ahead of joining active service with the Royal Navy. 

The Astute Class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. Weighing 7,400 tonnes and at 97 metres long, they are just short of the length of two Olympic swimming pools. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Submarines nuclear reactor, produced in Derby in the Midlands, the submarine will not need to refuel for the duration of her service life. 

The submarine’s high-tech capabilities include stealthy precision strike, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. HMS Agamemnon will be armed with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk IV land attack missiles, able to strike targets at a range of more than 1,000 miles. 

Alongside their role supporting the continuous at sea deterrent, Astute-class submarines are also involved in protecting maritime task groups and providing support to UK, NATO and coalition operations.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

Having seen first-hand the dedication and pride of the workforce in Barrow, and that of the thousands of people who work across our submarine supply chain in the United Kingdom, I know how much this milestone will mean to each and every one of them.

As one of the most advanced submarines ever built, HMS Agamemnon will play a major role in further boosting our security here at home and across NATO.

Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting MP said:

Deterrence is the bedrock of our national security. Another formidable attack submarine going to sea strengthens that deterrence and demonstrates how we are stepping up to meet the threats of a more dangerous world.

I’ve been on board HMS Agamemnon and met her submariners and the skilled workers who delivered this incredible feat of engineering. It’s a powerful reminder of how strengthening our defence creates good jobs, opens up opportunity, and reindustrialises our country.

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland — Deputy Chief of Defence Lt. Gen. Dragoş‑Dumitru Iacob of the Romanian Armed Forces visited the NATO Forward Land Forces (FLF) Battle Group–Poland at Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA) on July 23, 2026 to review training, infrastructure, and multinational interoperability.

Iacob received briefings from Polish Land Forces Training Center officials on BPTA’s live‑fire, infantry and small‑arms ranges (including grenade and close‑quarters facilities), mechanized and armored training areas for infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, air‑defense coverage and capabilities, target ranges and firing distances, engineering ranges, and the overall layout of training sectors.

Polish hosts presented a map of the training areas and outlined the organization of the 15th Mechanized Brigade, how the brigade’s equipment and traditions are integrated into operations, and plans for an upcoming equipment upgrade.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Saxion, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, and of the NATO FLF Battle Group–Poland, briefed Iacob on the battle group’s composition and multinational rotations, which include Romanian, Croatian, British and U.S. troops. He also cited recent anti-UAS exercises his battalion conducted in Hohenfels, Germany.

The commander of Romania’s 348th Air Defence Battalion reviewed a near‑term training calendar and described his unit’s role and capabilities.

Iacob toured a static display of armored vehicles and spoke with troops from Romania, Poland, the U.S., Croatia, and Britain. He consulted with Polish Vice Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Karol Dymanowski and offered words of support to junior‑enlisted Soldiers.

“Meeting with both the Romanian and Polish Vice Chiefs of Defense today was a terrific opportunity to highlight the Battle Group's capabilities, especially our Romanian Air Defense unit, and our close partnership,” said Saxion. “We truly are 'stronger together.’”

Leaders from the participating nations held a working lunch to reinforce interoperability goals and discuss future cooperation. The visit ended with an exchange of gifts and the presentation of challenge coins, emphasizing camaraderie and Romania’s commitment to collective defense on NATO’s eastern flank.

More than 3,500 service members from 10 countries including Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and the United States partnered for Exercise Combat Power 26, from June 22 through July 1, 2026, the multinational exercise strengthened interoperability through planning and executing high-intensity joint operations in land, sea, and air domains throughout the Republic of Croatia.

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