What is HMS Agamemnon?

HMS Agamemnon is the sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine built for the Royal Navy, commissioned by King Charles III on 22 September 2025.

When did HMS Agamemnon arrive at Faslane?

She arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) on 2 October 2026. STV News reported she left Barrow-in-Furness on 25 September 2026, while Navy Lookout reported the transit took eight days.

Who commands HMS Agamemnon?

Commander John Gabb took command of the submarine and was the first officer to take her to sea, according to STV News.

When will HMS Agamemnon become fully operational?

Based on the roughly 15-month trials timeline of her predecessor HMS Anson, Navy Lookout estimates Agamemnon could reach full operational status toward the end of 2027.

How many Astute-class submarines does the Royal Navy have?

Five Astute-class boats are already operational, with Agamemnon preparing to join them and a seventh, HMS Achilles, still under construction, according to STV News and Navy Lookout.

World · News

HMS Agamemnon, Royal Navy's sixth Astute-class submarine, arrives at Faslane

Published: October 5, 2026 at 02:57 PM UTC

In brief

HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy's sixth Astute-class attack submarine, arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) on 2 October 2026. STV News reported she left the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness on 25 September 2026, while Navy Lookout said the transit lasted eight days without giving an exact departure date. The boat completed her first dive at sea en route, with roughly 15 months of further trials expected before she reaches full operational status, based on her predecessor's timeline.

HMS Agamemnon, the sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine built for the Royal Navy, arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, on 2 October 2026. STV News reported she sailed from the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness on 25 September 2026. Navy Lookout separately reported that the transit north took eight days, without specifying the exact departure date.

During the voyage, Agamemnon carried out her first dive at sea in the Inner Hebrides exercise areas, with a Merlin helicopter providing overhead support, according to Navy Lookout and STV News. Before that, her only time underwater had been a controlled trim dive in October 2025 inside the basin at Barrow, where she was lowered to roughly 15 metres, Navy Lookout reported.

Who is in command and what is the submarine's status

Commander John Gabb took command of Agamemnon and was the first officer to take the boat to sea, according to STV News. The submarine carries a crew of around 100, STV News reported.

Rear Admiral Perks, the Royal Navy's Director of Submarines, said in a statement reported by STV News that the boat's delivery "reflects the dedication, skill and collaboration of thousands of people" who built what he described as one of the world's most capable attack submarines. Commander Gabb said the submarine is quiet and fitted with advanced sonar, and described taking her to sea for the first time as a privilege, according to the same report.

Construction timeline and what comes next

Agamemnon's keel was laid in July 2013, meaning construction and testing took about 13 years before she left the shipyard, Navy Lookout reported. She was commissioned by King Charles III on 22 September 2025, according to STV News.

The submarine now faces an extended trials programme before she is declared fully operational. Navy Lookout reported that her immediate predecessor, HMS Anson, needed about 15 months from leaving Barrow to completing trials, including time at the US Navy's BUTEC range, and that a similar timeline would put Agamemnon's readiness toward the end of 2027. The outlet also reported that Agamemnon began diving earlier in her delivery voyage than her two predecessors, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson, which carried out more extensive trials only after reaching Faslane.

The Astute class and the wider fleet

The Astute class is the Royal Navy's current class of nuclear-powered attack submarines; STV News described Agamemnon as the service's newest "hunter-killer" submarine. Five sister boats are already in service, and a seventh and final vessel, HMS Achilles, remains under construction at Barrow, according to STV News and Navy Lookout.

Agamemnon's arrival at Faslane coincided with the 125th anniversary of the Royal Navy's submarine service, marked by the 1901 launch of the first Royal Navy submarine, Holland 1, at the same Barrow facility, according to Navy Lookout and STV News.

Key dates for HMS Agamemnon
Milestone	Date
Keel laid	July 2013
Commissioned by King Charles III	22 September 2025
Trim dive at Barrow	October 2025
Sailed from Barrow	25 September 2026 (per STV News); Navy Lookout reports an eight-day transit without a specific date
First dive at sea	En route, late September 2026
Arrived at Faslane	2 October 2026
Expected full operational status	Late 2027 (estimate, based on Anson's timeline)

Questions

What is HMS Agamemnon?: HMS Agamemnon is the sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine built for the Royal Navy, commissioned by King Charles III on 22 September 2025.
When did HMS Agamemnon arrive at Faslane?: She arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) on 2 October 2026. STV News reported she left Barrow-in-Furness on 25 September 2026, while Navy Lookout reported the transit took eight days.
Who commands HMS Agamemnon?: Commander John Gabb took command of the submarine and was the first officer to take her to sea, according to STV News.
When will HMS Agamemnon become fully operational?: Based on the roughly 15-month trials timeline of her predecessor HMS Anson, Navy Lookout estimates Agamemnon could reach full operational status toward the end of 2027.
How many Astute-class submarines does the Royal Navy have?: Five Astute-class boats are already operational, with Agamemnon preparing to join them and a seventh, HMS Achilles, still under construction, according to STV News and Navy Lookout.

Sources

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