Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

Palfinger
  • News
  • Event News
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
    • WDS 2022
    • DSEI 2021
    • MADEX 2021
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Royal Navy Commissions Fourth Astute-class Submarine
Royal Navy Commissions Fourth Astute-class Submarine

Royal Navy Commissions Fourth Astute-class Submarine

ASTUTE-Class attack submarine, HMS Audacious, was formally commissioned today during a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde.

Naval News Staff 23 Sep 2021

Royal Navy press release

Members of the ship’s company and personnel from the Submarine Flotilla (SUBFLOT) were joined at the Faslane site by the boat’s sponsor, Lady Elizabeth Jones, as they welcomed HMS Audacious to the Royal Navy Fleet.

The ceremony marks the completion of extensive tests and sea trials for the vessel with Audacious now ready for Royal Navy operations around the globe.

Commander Jim Howard, the Commanding Officer of HMS Audacious, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be Commanding Officer of the Royal Navy’s newest and most capable SSN.

“As we now move from sea trials into our operational sea training programme, I and the whole ship’s company are ready for the challenge ahead.
“This formal commissioning ceremony marks another major milestone in the platform being fully operational and ready for tasking.” 

During the ceremony, members of Audacious’ ship’s company formed platoons on the jetty with Lady Elizabeth Jones inspecting them.  Afterwards she addressed those gathered for the occasion and cut the commissioning cake.

HMS Audacious arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde for the first time on April 7 last year where she joined sister-vessels HMS Astute, HMS Artful and HMS Ambush.  The Astute-Class nuclear powered submarines are among the most sophisticated underwater vehicles ever constructed, gradually replacing the Trafalgar-Class submarines which have provided sterling service for almost four decades.

Equipped with sophisticated sensors, the Astute-Class submarines carry both Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM) and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

The vessels are capable of circumnavigating the globe while submerged, producing their own oxygen and drinking water.

Speaking of the Commissioning, Commodore Jim Perks, Head of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, said: “This is an extremely important day in the life of HMS Audacious and I am delighted that the sponsor, Lady Elizabeth Jones, was able to formally commission this, our fourth Astute-Class submarine, today.

“Throughout this pandemic, Audacious has delivered her extensive trials programme without fuss and with considerable style. 

“I wish the boat, crew and their families all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing her deliver on operations.”

Astute-class Royal Navy SSN Submarine 2021-09-23
Tags Astute-class Royal Navy SSN Submarine
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Related Articles

U.S. Navy Commissions 21st Virginia-class Submarine

U.S. Navy Commissions 21st Virginia-class Submarine

Xavier Vavasseur 26 Jun 2022
The U.S. Navy commissioned its twenty-first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Montana (SSN 794) in a ceremony held Saturday, June 25, at Naval station Norfolk.
Video: Walrus-class Submarine replacement program

Video: Walrus-class Submarine replacement program

Xavier Vavasseur 25 Jun 2022
Walrus-class Submarine replacement program of the Royal Netherlands Navy with Saab, Naval Group, TKMS
AUKUS Submarines: American Sailors to Train their Aussie counterparts

AUKUS Submarines: American Sailors to Train their Aussie counterparts

Benjamin Felton 23 Jun 2022
Initially, the Australian officers would attend the Navy Nuclear Propulsion School, before completing the Submarine ...

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved