HMS Astute (S119)

HMS Astute, first of her class, is the lead submarine in the Royal Navy’s fleet of Attack submarines and is one of the most advanced SSNs in the world.

Role

HMS Astute has been described as ‘more complex than the Space Shuttle‘ and is arguably the finest attack submarine in the world today.

The Astute Class she represents are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. They combine world-leading sensors, design and weaponry in a modern, versatile vessel.

Astute is a symbol of how far the ‘Silent Service’ has come in a century. Her keel was laid almost exactly 100 years to the day after the keel of Holland 1, the first Royal Navy submarine, was laid at the same yard in Barrow.

Astute class

Unit history

1945

The First Astute

Amphion-class diesel-electric boat HMS Astute was launched on 30 January 1945 and commissioned on 30 June the same year.

1970

Decommissioning

The class, with some modifications, served successfully until 1974 when the last, HMS Andrew, was decommissioned. The first Astute was sold in 1970 and recycled.

2010

Commissioned

The new HMS Astute is to be the first of seven new Astute-class hunter-killer submarines.

2011

History repeats

The second Astute‘s keel was laid almost exactly 100 years to the day after the keel of Holland 1, our first submarine, was laid at the same yard in Barrow.

2013

Tested and ready

The new boat’s trials drew to a close as she prepared for front-line duties – she was tested in both warm and cold waters and was ready to serve.

2014

First deployment

HMS Astute sailed from UK waters in March to become the first Astute-class to contribute towards the UK’s presence in the Mediterranean.

2014

Flies the Jolly Roger

The crew of HMS Astute marked the 100th birthday of the submariner’s tradition of flying the Jolly Roger – with cake and their own ensign!

2016

Astute in the Arctic

For the first time in nearly a decade, submariners from HMS Astute and HMS Trenchant unfurl the Royal Navy’s standard on the Arctic ice during a training exercise.

2017

Major upgrade

Planned maintenance to ensure Astute is in top condition and ready for future operations around the globe.

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