His Majesty King Charles III commissioned HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s newest attack submarine, as the Port of Barrow received Royal status. The event highlights the UK’s nuclear submarine programme, supporting tens of thousands of defence jobs, apprenticeships, and major government investments in Barrow and the wider defence sector.
King Charles III Commissions HMS Agamemnon and Marks Historic Milestone in UK
The United Kingdom has reached a significant milestone in its defence nuclear programme, as His Majesty King Charles III officially commissioned the Royal Navy’s newest attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon. The ceremony, held at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness on September 22, 2025, also saw the conferring of Royal status on the Port of Barrow, highlighting the town’s critical role in the UK’s nuclear submarine industry. This milestone underlines the government’s ongoing commitment to national security, job creation, and industrial growth.
During the event, the Defence Secretary led a separate ceremony marking the steel cutting of the fourth and final Dreadnought Class submarine, named King George VI, officially commencing its construction. The Dreadnought Class programme is a central pillar of the government’s nuclear deterrent ‘triple lock’, which ensures that the UK maintains a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent while simultaneously building four new nuclear submarines and delivering all future upgrades required.
The commissioning of HMS Agamemnon and the start of construction on King George VI reflect not only the UK’s strategic defence priorities but also the economic benefits derived from the defence nuclear sector. Barrow, the home of the UK’s nuclear submarine building industry, now supports more than 13,500 defence nuclear jobs, representing a growth of over 1,000 personnel since July 2024—a more than 7% increase. This expansion is in line with the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to leverage the defence sector as an engine for growth, creating sustainable employment and supporting apprenticeships across the country.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP emphasized the dual role of submarine building in safeguarding national security while sustaining thousands of jobs and apprenticeships across the UK. Healey highlighted Barrow as a prime example of how security and economic growth can work hand-in-hand. The Royal Navy’s six Astute Class submarines, soon to be seven, not only form part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent but also play a critical role in maritime task groups, support for special forces, and the provision of strategic intelligence to the UK, NATO, and coalition operations.
The conferring of Royal status on the Port of Barrow also celebrates the enduring importance of the local workforce, whose dedication and expertise have positioned the port as the heart of the UK’s nuclear submarine industry. Entering service from the early 2030s, the Dreadnought Class submarines will represent the next generation of nuclear deterrence patrol vessels, ensuring the nation’s security for decades. They are expected to be the most technically advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.
Chief of Defence Nuclear, Madelaine McTernan, CB, remarked on the significance of the steel cutting of the fourth Dreadnought Class submarine, noting that delivering these submarines is a truly national endeavour supported by a vast UK supply chain. She praised the workforce in Barrow for their role in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, stating that the work done there contributes to NATO security while showcasing the UK’s industrial capabilities on a global stage.
These milestones align with the Strategic Defence Review, which has reinforced the importance of modernised nuclear deterrence as the cornerstone of UK defence, and the Defence Industrial Strategy, which focuses on strengthening Britain’s defence industrial base. To further support the workforce and infrastructure in Barrow, the government has committed £200 million through the Transformation Fund as part of the Plan for Barrow. This investment targets key areas such as transport, education, housing, and skills development, ensuring the workforce can meet the demands of the Ministry of Defence’s major programmes.
In addition to the Transformation Fund, a further £6 billion is being invested in the defence nuclear sector during the current Spending Review period, including in Barrow, to enhance submarine production rates to a target of one submarine every 18 months in future years. Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts of the UK submarine enterprise, noting the critical contribution of both the Dreadnought and Astute Class submarines to national security.
The UK’s defence nuclear sector currently supports over 47,000 jobs nationwide, with projections indicating this number could rise to 65,000 by 2030 as investment boosts submarine production capacity. The government is also actively working with industry and academia to create 22,000 apprenticeship and 9,000 graduate defence nuclear roles over the next decade. At present, approximately 1,800 apprentices and 500 graduates are training in Barrow through BAE Systems’ Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge, further enhancing opportunities for the local community.
The recent events in Barrow follow the US State Visit to the UK and highlight the enduring partnership between the two nations on nuclear issues. This relationship, which has spanned many decades, continues to underpin the UK’s nuclear security and collaborative defence efforts.
The commissioning of HMS Agamemnon, the start of construction on King George VI, and the conferring of Royal Port status to Barrow collectively mark a historic achievement for the UK’s nuclear submarine programme. These developments not only strengthen national security but also drive economic growth, sustain high-skilled jobs, and affirm the UK’s commitment to building the future of defence capability for generations to come.