HMS Achilles (S125)
HMS Ambush (S120), another Astute-class submarine, during sea trials off the coast of Scotland | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Achilles |
| Builder | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
| Cost | £1.640B (budget) |
| Laid down | 14 May 2018 |
| In service | Projected late 2026 |
| Identification | Pennant number: S125 |
| Status | Under construction |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Astute-class fleet submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 97 m (318 ft 3 in) |
| Beam | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion | Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators |
| Speed | 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged |
| Range | Unlimited |
| Endurance | 90 days |
| Test depth | Over 300 m (980 ft) |
| Complement | 98 (capacity for 109) |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
HMS Achilles (also known as Astute Boat 7) is an Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine under construction for the Royal Navy and the seventh in her class. The boat has had its name changed twice, having previously held the in-work name of Ajax and Agincourt.
The confirmation for the seventh and final Astute-class boat was given in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, although the order was not placed until 2018.
On 11 December 2012 the British government announced that long-lead items had been ordered for boats 6 and 7.
On 6 March 2018 the Defence Procurement minister Guto Bebb confirmed that the MoD had gained Treasury approval to sign a contract for Astute Boat 7, after a leaked Navy document had suggested it might not be procured as a cost-saving measure. In May 2018 it was reported that construction of Boat Seven had begun. She has been projected as being ready for service by early 2026 and will be based at Faslane (HMNB Clyde).