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Astute Class boats are the largest and most advanced attack submarines that have ever been built for the Royal Navy with the seventh submarine currently in construction.
National news outlets report that the latest Astute-class submarine has had its named changed from HMS Agincourt over fears of ‘upsetting the French.’
A move to rebrand the under-construction nuclear-powered fleet submarine was initially thrown out last year as “woke nonsense” by Tory Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
And now, Mr Shapps has described the decision to rename the submarine as ‘nothing shot of sacrilege.’
He told The Sun: “This submarine carries a name that honours a defining moment in British history.”
The Battle of Agincourt was a decisive battle in the Hundred Years’ War that resulted in the victory of the English over the French.
It was confirmed late on January 26 that it would now be known as HMS Achilles with reference to the heroic figure from Greek mythology who was seemingly invincible in battle until a well-placed arrow from Paris found his heel, the one area where he was vulnerable.
The Royal Navy said: “The seventh Astute-class submarine is to be named HMS Achilles, as approved by The King. The name is appropriate in light of the 80th anniversaries this year of VE and VJ Day. Six ships have previously borne the name, earning six battle honours, including the River Plate and Okinawa.”
The post from the Royal Navy made no reference to its original name. Former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson had announced that the last of the Astute class SSNs would be named Agincourt in May 2018. Prior to that, the vessel had been unofficially expected to be named Ajax.
