ROYAL NAVY: FOURTH ASTUTE-CLASS SUBMARINE FORMALLY COMMISSIONED

By Gavin Carr

ASTUTE-Class attack submarine, HMS Audacious, was formally commissioned today (Thursday, September 23) during a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde.

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 Naval 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 oyxygen 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.”

HMS AUDACIOUS ARRIVES AT CLYDE HOME HMS Audacious, the fourth of the Royal Navys Astute-class submarines, has arrived at her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new submarine and her 98-strong crew arrived at the Naval Base in Argyll and Bute today (April 7), flying the White Ensign after sailing from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. Welcoming the vessel to her new home were members of the Submarine Flotilla SUBFLOT based at Clyde. It is with great excitement that we welcome HMS Audacious to the Clyde, joining her three sister submarines, said Commodore Jim Perks OBE, Head of the Submarine Service. HMS Audacious represents an ever improving example of the world-leading Astute class submarine. She is right at the cutting-edge of technology, built here in the UK by our own people. She will provide the country with remarkable security at sea to protect our nations interests. HMS Audacious will join sister-submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful which are already in-service and operating from Faslane. A further three boats named Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt – are currently under construction at BAE in Barrow. The Astute-class vessels are among the most sophisticated submarines ever constructed for the RoyalNavy.

HMS Audacious’ sponsor, Lady Elizabeth Jones, addresses crew members during the ceremonial commissioning at HM Naval Base Clyde. Lady Jones meets crew members from Audacious. Lady Jones and the youngest crew member on board Audacious cut the commissioning cake.