Royal Navy's 'most capable attack submarine' sails to her new home

HMS Anson, the fifth Astute Class submarine, has sailed from Barrow-in-Furness to begin her journey to His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde.

Dubbed the "most advanced submarine ever built by BAE Systems", HMS Anson was commissioned by the Royal Navy in September 2022.

HMS Anson was built in BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness site and is making her way to her new home in Clyde – the base of the Royal Navy Submarine Service.

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Costing £1.3bn, the Astute class submarine is one of the most sophisticated submarines ever built.  

The nuclear-powered submarine is 97m long and weighs 7,800 tonnes.  

Powered by a Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor and almost the size of two Olympic pools, HMS Anson will be operational for 25 years without refuelling. 

Named after Admiral George Anson, she will be joining HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful and Audacious.

Astute submarines are recognised as the most technologically advanced attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. 

HMS Anson can hit targets 1,000 miles away, armed with up to 38 Spearfish Heavyweight Torpedoes, and Block V Tomahawk land attack missiles. 

Steve Timms, managing director of BAE Systems' Submarines business called the departure "a truly national endeavour".

"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 the UK's national security," Mr Timms said.  

The managing director also added that "delivering the most capable attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy" was a "tremendous moment". 

Upon arrival at the Clyde, HMS Anson will begin sea trials.

"We are eagerly looking forward to putting the boat through her paces on sea trials, realising her full potential and joining our colleagues on the Clyde – the home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service," said Commanding Officer of HMS Anson, Commander David Crosby. 

The final two submarines in the Astute class – Agamemnon and Agincourt – are in various stages of construction at Barrow-in-Furness.