Camilla salutes new attack submarine crew

The Duchess of Rothesay told the crew of the first of the UK’s new class of attack submarines they were a “great credit” to the country as the vessel was formally accepted by the Royal Navy yesterday.

Naval dignitaries, the ship’s crew and their families gathered on the quayside for the HMS Astute commissioning ceremony at Faslane, HM Naval Base Clyde. Camilla, who is sponsor of the ship, was guest of honour.

The nuclear-powered vessel is the UK’s most powerful attack submarine, armed with non-nuclear weapons.

HMS Astute is the first in a fleet of six which will replace the Trafalgar class submarines.

Camilla told the assembled crew: “You are, if I may say, a great credit to the Royal Navy and to this country.”

HMS Astute is 97 metres long. Nuclear-powered technology means she can circumnavigate the globe submerged creating oxygen from seawater as she sails. She will never need to be refuelled.

As the base port of all the Navy’s submarines from 2016, Faslane will be home to the whole Astute class.