BAE Systems has been awarded a $1,8 billion contract by the UK’s Ministry of Defence for the delivery of Royal Navy's sixth Astute class nuclear-powered attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon. The first three Astute class submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful are currently in service with the Royal Navy. The service will take delivery of a total seven submarines of the same class.

Having six 533mm torpedo tubes, the Astute-class submarines are equipped with the Tomahawk Block IV (tactical tomahawk) cruise missiles, Spearfish torpedoes and mines. The nuclear power is provided by the second-generation Rolls-Royce PWR 2 pressurised water reactor which is fitted with a long-life core.