The world’s most advanced hunter-killer submarine joins Royal Navy

HMS Anson – dubbed the "most advanced submarine ever built by BAE Systems" – has been officially commissioned into the Royal Navy during a ceremony in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The nuclear-powered submarine is 97m long with a displacement of 7,800 tonnes and is the fifth of seven in the Astute class.

The submarine was commissioned at BAE Systems’ yard in Cumbria in front of her crew and their families, plus naval leaders, Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and the boat’s sponsor, Julie Weale.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

"Built in a UK shipyard, HMS Anson demonstrates the very best of British industry, sustaining our world-leading sub-surface capabilities and underlining the UK's readiness to contribute them to shared security, especially with our closest allies Australia and the United States under the AUKUS initiative."

[pedrorenard]

I love that banner “Lives depend on us doing our jobs right” Never a truer word in the world of submarines.

[loduke]

As an American.. ya gotta respect the Brit’s, they make some damn good ships and always have. Grateful to have them watching our 6 🇺🇸 🤝 🇬🇧

[sam-heyn]

Thank God we can still build badass submarines something we can be proud about

[mrp]

Brit submarines are the best option for Australia- not only are they good value for money they also don't need a large crew. Yet they bring cutting edge, blue water submarine capability and the long arm of defense with tomahawk cruise missiles- and a nuclear reactor that never needs to be replaced. Not to mention the common cultural history and values each countries share.

[ENGBriseB]

Great News the Astute class submarines are the very best in the world. And very happy to see another one built for the UK.

[chish]

Good to hear Ben Wallace will remain as Defence Secretary. He has been possibly the best we have had and I go back to the '60s.

[Jon-hi]

Good to see the Brits working closely with our Aussie cousins again.

[iMertin]

It’s about time we started to produce this stuff again. Scotland and the north of England have build some incredible ships and subs

[fToo]

The presence of the Australian Defence Minister must surely be a big hint that they are going to go for this vessel ?

[nickj]

It's mystifying as an Australian to hear that the UK boat costs 1.3 billion pounds and the 10 the French were going to build in France were going to cost AUD 90 billion. Gotta wonder!

[Phil_AKA_ThundyUK]

Yes boys and girls. Yes! Now, build another twenty....

[toddhunking]

I'll look forward to Canada purchasing this sub from the UK in 30 years when it's mothballed.

[davidkennedy]

We need a few more of these, I know they are expensive but they do offer a proper deterrent unlike the small navy and army that we have at the moment! And I know that submarine’s are part of the navy but I think you know what I mean.

[nickbreen]

I don't think many understand just how advanced this class of boat is. I don't know anything more than has been reported, but take one look at it and you'll know it's something special.

[montyzumazoom]

Brilliant stuff!
As an engineer, I’d love to work on making these.
Done a fair bit of defence work but not actual Sub construction

[thegoldeneagle]

These submarines are used for basically anything and also there is a commissioning vid from bae

[philkelly]

Great to see U.K. getting back into a power house

[Jin-Ro]

As a Brit trying to be unbiased, I think they'll go with the American offerings. The US have the advantage of being able to build more, which drives costs down. They can offer more concessions, and have the global supply chain to get critical parts from A to B quicker than the UK can.
I'm no expert, but that's just my logical way of thinking this through. Whatever decision Oz make, they'll will be getting the best kit in the world and the best training in the world to use it.

[noodles]

Scary ass weapon, silent, invisible and absolutely lethal. Just one of these could ruin most countries entire navy fleet

[LordOfLight]

OK, if you can stop cheering and feeling terribly patriotic for just a moment:

These modern attack subs really are formidable weapons.
You can't see them and you can't hear them. Nope, not even with modern sonar.
If you're on a surface vessel and you know one of these is coming after you and you're not terrified, you don't understand your situation.
Other countries have them too. (remember I said to put your patriotism to one side?)
Consider the implications for Britain's Carriers.