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BAE Systems delivers fifth of its Astute-class attack submarines to Royal Navy: Defense giant says HMS Anson ‘heading for open seas’
BAE Systems delivered the fifth of its Astute-class attack submarines to the Royal Navy yesterday.
The defense giant said HMS Anson, built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, is ‘heading for the open sea’. Described as the “most capable” ever built, Astute-class submarines are armed with heavy Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The £1.3 billion ship, which weighs 7,400 tonnes and is 97 meters long, can travel around the world underwater, producing its own oxygen and drinking water, while making less noise than a baby dolphin.
Farewell: HMS Anson leaves Barrow en route to her new base in Clyde
BAE Systems has delivered four other Astute-class submarines, all costing more than £1 billion and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. It is building two more for the Royal Navy, also at Barrow.
The FTSE 100 firm said the vessels play a ‘vital role’ in protecting the UK’s national security.
Boss Steve Timms said: “Delivering the most capable attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy is a great moment for our company.”
HMS Anson’s inaugural voyage was to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, home of the UK’s Submarine Service.