The UK Royal Navy’s (RN) fifth Astute-class nuclear attack submarine HMS Anson has started the journey to its homebase His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde.
The ship has already departed from BAE Systems’ shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, after being guided through the yard’s dock system and rounding the Walney Island’s tip.
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After arriving at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, the 97m-long submarine will undergo sea trials and will join other first four submarines of its class, including HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious, to enter in service with the RN.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “HMS Anson will play a vital role in defending UK, providing a competitive edge for decades to come, and I am proud to see her make her journey up to her permanent home on Clyde.
“Supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the UK, our Astute-Class submarines are a leading example of commitment to defence manufacturing, continuing to boost British industry for decades to come.”
The latest milestone comes months after the fifth of seven Astute-class submarines was officially commissioned into the service last year.
The new vessel features Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes and is capable of generating its own oxygen and drinking water.
Construction of HMS Anson involved contribution of over 10,000 technicians, coders, engineers, scientists and submariners from across the country.
The company is now working on the construction of the last two Astute-class submarines, HMS Agamemnon and Agincourt, which are in advanced construction stage.
BAE Systems Submarines managing director Steve Timms said: “It’s with enormous pride that we bid farewell to HMS Anson as she departs our site to take-up her vital role helping to protect UK’s national security.”
