Barrow-in-Furness made history today as King Charles III officially welcomed the Royal Navy’s newest attack submarine, HMS Agamemnon, into service.
In the same visit, His Majesty also granted the town’s shipbuilding hub a prestigious new title: the Royal Port of Barrow.
It was a double milestone for the UK’s nuclear submarine programme. While the King oversaw the commissioning of HMS Agamemnon, Defence Secretary John Healey marked the start of construction on the last of the four Dreadnought Class submarines, King George VI. Together, these steps highlight the government’s commitment to maintaining the UK’s continuous nuclear deterrent while also investing in British industry and jobs.
Jobs, skills, and growth
The nuclear submarine programme isn’t just about defence—it’s also fuelling economic growth. More than 13,500 people now work in Barrow’s defence sector, up by over 1,000 since last year. Nationwide, the industry supports more than 47,000 jobs, a figure expected to rise to 65,000 by 2030.
Thousands of apprentices and graduates are already training at BAE Systems’ Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge in Barrow, with 22,000 new apprenticeship roles and 9,000 graduate jobs planned across the country in the coming decade.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
“Submarine building is a vital UK industry, sustaining thousands of jobs and apprenticeships up and down the country, all while continuing to keep the country safe around the clock.
Barrow is an outstanding example of security and growth working hand-in-hand – adding a new attack submarine to the Royal Navy’s fleet, building the next generation of nuclear-armed submarines, and simultaneously supporting thousands of skilled local jobs and apprenticeships”.
Barrow’s role at the heart of UK defence
For generations, Barrow has been the home of the UK’s submarine fleet. Gaining Royal Port status is both a recognition of its proud past and an investment in its future. Alongside the Astute Class submarines already in service, the Dreadnought fleet—expected to enter service in the early 2030s—will be the most advanced submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive BAE Systems, said:
“This is a proud day for Barrow and everyone involved in the wider UK submarine enterprise who are working collaboratively to deliver the Dreadnought and Astute class submarines. We take great pride in our role in this national endeavour and in our contribution to safeguarding the UK’s security”.
Investment in the community
To sustain this growth, the government is backing Barrow with a £200 million transformation fund as part of the “Plan for Barrow,” supporting upgrades in transport, housing, education, and skills. Another £6 billion is being invested in the defence nuclear sector over the current Spending Review period, with the goal of building a new submarine every 18 months in the future.
Chief of Defence Nuclear Madelaine McTernan, CB, said:
“The steel cutting of the fourth boat in the Dreadnought Class is a significant milestone marking positive progress in this extraordinary programme. Delivering these submarines is a truly national endeavour with a vast UK supply chain, culminating in the build at the Royal Port of Barrow. It is a proud moment for the thousands who contribute to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
Today’s events celebrate Barrow’s world-class workforce and our shared commitment to delivering the submarines that safeguard our nation. We are proud to build the future of NATO security right here in Royal Barrow”. Photo by Dan Marsh, Wikimedia commons.