Astute Class submarine HMS Artful (S121) has officially become a Commissioned Warship of the Royal Navy at a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde. Guest of honour at the ceremony was the submarine’s sponsor Lady Zambellas, who had named HMS Artful (S121) in September 2013, before her launch in May 2014, in Barrow in Furness.

Amanda Zambellas was joined by her husband Admiral Sir George Zambellas, the First Sea Lord and head of the Naval Service, representatives of the companies involved in Artful’s construction and operation as well as the submarine’s 150 crew, their families and friends.

«This is a red letter day that marks the beginning of the next crucial stage of development for the Royal Navy and its Submarine Service», said Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. «Today’s ceremony dramatically increases the operational capability of the Submarine Service with the commissioning of our third Astute-class boat, and is another milestone in the journey towards HM Naval Base Clyde becoming the UK Submarine Centre of Specialisation by 2020».

Lady Amanda Zambellas said: «It is wonderful that so many families and affiliates could join HMS Artful for her big day. Over a decade has passed since her keel was laid, so it is hugely rewarding for everyone involved with the project to finally see the White Ensign flying from her stern. While the technology inside is impressive, it is the Ship’s Company who really give HMS Artful her soul. Through their expertise and a good sense of fun, I know they really will live up to her name, and I look forward to supporting her in the many years ahead».

Since she was handed over to the Royal Navy by BAE Systems Submarines in December 2015, HMS Artful (S121) has been conducting trials to prove her systems and equipment at sea, ahead of her first operational deployment later in 2017. The highlight of the trials was the firing of six heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes on the British Underwater Testing and Evaluation Centre near the Isle of Skye.

HMS Artful (S121) is the first of the Royal Navy’s submarines to be fitted with the Common Combat System (CCS), which is regarded as the digital «brain» of the boat controlling its «eyes», «ears» and «nervous system».

Artful’s two sister boats Astute and Ambush have already successfully conducted operational deployments. Both have deployed to the Mediterranean, and Middle East where they have been involved in anti-smuggling and security operations and have provided Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) capability in support of anti-terrorism operations in the region.

The Astute-class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world leading sensors, design and weaponry in a versatile vessel.

HMS Astute (S119), HMS Ambush (S120), and now HMS Artful (S121), are the first of the Class to be accepted by Navy Command, which is responsible for operating all of the Royal Navy’s vessels. The next two submarines in the Class, Audacious (S122) and Anson (S123), are currently being built in Barrow, with Agamemnon (S124) and the unnamed Boat 7 to follow.

BAE Systems is responsible for delivering the Astute Class and for the design of the successor to the Vanguard class, Successor, which will carry the UK’s nuclear deterrent, and also be based at HM Naval Base Clyde.

The Right Honourable Michael Fallon MP, Secretary of State for Defence, visited BAE Systems on July 10 and toured the latest Astute class submarine. HMS Artful is the third of seven highly sophisticated Astute class submarines being built by the Company for the UK Royal Navy. The remaining four are under construction at its site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The 7,400-tonne nuclear-powered attack submarine is undergoing final preparations before leaving for its operational base at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, in Faslane, Scotland. From there, it will undergo sea trials, when its full range of capabilities will be tested under the control of its Commanding Officer, Commander Scott Bower. Artful’s sister submarines, HMS Astute (S119) and HMS Ambush (S120), are already operating out of Faslane.

Mr. Fallon, who also visited BAE Systems’ giant build hall in which final assembly of each 318-feet-long/97-meter-long submarine takes place, said: «The Astute submarine programme is a key part of our £163 billion plan to ensure that our armed forces have the equipment they need. HMS Artful (S121) will now join HMS Astute (S119) and HMS Ambush (S120), helping to keep Britain safe. The next four boats are already under construction, securing thousands of jobs and showing our commitment to increase defence spending each year for the rest of the decade».

BAE Systems, which now employs more than 7,000 people at its Submarines facility, is responsible for designing, building, testing and commissioning the Astute class – the most capable attack submarines ever built for the UK Royal Navy. Each submarine packs a range of world-class technologies and is armed with Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk land attack missiles.

Tony Johns, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: «It was a pleasure to welcome the Secretary of State to BAE Systems and to accompany him on a tour of Artful and our world-class submarine building facilities. The design and build of a nuclear powered submarine is the pinnacle of technology, engineering and manufacturing excellence. It is a hugely complex programme of enormous national significance. When Artful was launched, it was done so in a more advanced state of build than any other submarine we have built, so it was a proud moment to be able showcase the progress we are making across the Astute programme and we will continue to look for ways of improving our efficiency and effectiveness. Today’s visit is recognition of the hard work by everyone at BAE Systems, our submarine partners, the Royal Navy crew and the hundreds of businesses in our supply chain network».

This is an exciting time for BAE Systems in Barrow. As well as Astute, the Company is undertaking £300 million-plus of facilities investment in readiness for the start of construction on Successor – the programme to replace the current fleet of Vanguard submarines, which carry the UK’s strategic national deterrent. BAE Systems is leading the design phase of this programme and has more than 1,500 people currently working on it.

1. HMS Astute (S119)
2. HMS Ambush (S120)
3. HMS Artful (S121)
4. Audacious (S122)
5. Anson (S123)
6. Agamemnon (S124)
7. Ajax (S125)