IT is more complex than the US Space Shuttle and quieter than a baby dolphin.

HMS Artful will be one of the largest and deadliest hunter-killer submarines ever built by the Royal Navy.

The 7,400-tonne craft, as long as a football pitch, has sonar technology so advanced it could detect ships leaving New York while lying in the Solent.

Today the Daily Echo can reveal that the city of Southampton is to adopt the nuclear stealth submarine.

Councillors are set to accept an invitation by Navy top brass to establish a formal link.

The civic relationship with HMS Artful, which is being built in Cumbria at a cost of nearly £1 billion, will replace the link with HMS Southampton which was decommissioned last year after a 28-year career. First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope praised the city’s “long and proud history” with HMS Southampton.

He said he wanted the new affiliation to “establish a strong and enduring relationship with Southampton building upon the strong ties with the Royal Navy that already exists”.

Despite previous Labour and Lib Dem objections to nuclear submarines docking in Southampton all political groups at the council have signed up to the affiliation.

It will give the city an opportunity to meet the Royal Navy, for schools to visit the submarine and for crew to visit Southampton during periods of relaxation.

Tory council leader Royston Smith, a former RAF engineer who served in the Falklands, said: “We think it’s an honour to be chosen by the Navy to have an affiliation with one of their state-of-the-art vessels.

“All military are welcome in Southampton at any time. If they defend our freedoms we will do our utmost to make sure we are good hosts.”

He added: “HMS Southampton has carried the city’s name around the world. It’s a shame they don’t name vessels after cities any more but there are not so many vessels in the fleet.”

The Solent Coalition Against Nuclear Ships (SCANS) is objecting to the move.

Spokeswoman Di McDonald said: “It isn’t like one of the surface fleet which is benign. With a nuclear reactor there is always the risk that something can go wrong resulting in the release of radiation.

“Of course it’s unlikely but the Navy knows it’s very dangerous. That’s why it has a very complex safety plan.

“Introducing a nuclear reactor into to the heart of a busy city is unnecessary. Our councillors are putting the Navy above the needs of the citizens of Southampton and that’s not their role. Their priority is the care and safety of people who pay their council tax.

“Southampton is a commercial civic port and nothing to do with the Navy.”

Cllr Smith said the safety record of nuclear submarines “speaks for itself” and insisted the HMS Artful would be welcome to dock in the port. However the submarine is not expected to be a frequent visitor.

HMS Artful, which will not carry nuclear weapons, is being built at Burrow-in-Furness by Hampshire based BAE Systems.

Its nuclear reactor will never need refuelling and HMS Artful could stay underwater for its entire 25-year lifespan because it will have the ability to make oxygen and drinking water out of sea water.

Her dedicated crew of 98 are expected to join her at the end of the year with sea trials next year, although she won’t be commissioned until 2015.

Tory council leaders will agree to the affiliation on Monday. A formal reception ceremony for Navy chiefs is being planned.