The United Kingdom has formally named the Royal Navy’s fourth Astute-class submarine during a ceremony at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
The nuclear submarine was named Audacious.
Marking a milestone in the vessel’s journey towards joining the Royal Navy’s fleet, Lady Elizabeth Jones, the wife of First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones, formally christened the submarine in the classic tradition of breaking a bottle – on this occasion, a traditionally brewed local beer – on her bow.
The naming ceremony of the 7,400 tonne, 97-metre long submarine took place in front of thousands of people, including the BAE Systems’ workforce who have built her and the Royal Navy submariners who will serve on board her.
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones said: “ Today’s naming ceremony for HMS Audacious adds another world-beating nuclear submarine to the already formidable Astute class.
“Ahead of her, HMS Astute, Ambush and Artful are already contributing to operations and are well placed to protect both the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and the Continuous At Sea Deterrent.”
The ceremony took place almost a year to the day since the third Astute submarine, HMS Artful, was officially handed over to the Royal Navy.
Audacious will now stay inside the Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow for final work to be undertaken on her, before being launched next year for testing and commissioning of the boat’s systems.