In a series of written questions submitted on Friday 7 February 2025 by Mark Francois (Conservative – Rayleigh and Wickford), Armed Forces Luke Pollard provided detailed responses on the renaming of the new attack submarine from HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles.
Pollard explained that potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy’s Ships Names and Badges Committee, which makes recommendations based on historical information and civic affiliations. He stated:
“The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called ‘Achilles’. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by His Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.”
When questioned about whether the MOD had received representations on the merits of renaming HMS Agincourt or held consultations with navy stakeholders and Royal Navy representatives regarding the decision, Pollard reiterated that the naming process is determined solely by the Ships Names and Badges Committee.
He confirmed that the proposal was shared with Ministers and ultimately approved by His Majesty the King before his Office issued the official direction.
Pollard’s written responses also addressed the potential cost implications to the public purse, confirming that aside from the nominal expense associated with renewing the Achilles badge, no other costs were anticipated in the renaming exercise. Additionally, he confirmed that he and other Ministers were indeed involved in discussions regarding the change.
The Ships Names and Badges Committee is all well known and understood.
Any actual reasons given as to the why, apart from the speculated and obvious?
I don’t give a toss if it is called Agincourt or Achilles, Achilles is as fine a name as Agincourt would have been. I just find amusement in the scramble to deny and be obscure. If the King thought it offensive, say so. Some will agree, others won’t.
The denials and veil over everything just fuels the flames.
Yes, It just sounds like ‘It was changed because it was changed. Don’t question the King’ Just sounds like a PR deflection.
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I’m more interested in when she is going to be in service!
Even HMT must have grasped that by now?
I couldn’t care less which of the many stories ‘A’ names are used.
Very true!
Couldn’t agree more
Here here!
We didn’t want to upset the poor French. Starmer needs friends wherever he can find them.
Country needs friends like it or not we have no idea how deep the coup across the pond will go, thankfully the Courts are doing their job in the absence of the HofR but as real President Musk is calling for one of those judges (yeah the Obama appointed one not the Trump one surprise, surprise) to be impeached for daring to uphold the law, and effectively putting a target on his back for the Proud Boys, we will see just how compliant the House will be. So yeah probably a small but sensible decision to go from one proud name to an actual more proud one if anything.
My only gripe is the idea that it had no Govt influence at all, no gentle hints in Gentlemen’s Clubs at all Im sure, just as we know that Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales weren’t remotely reflective of the former Queen and her son at all, pure coincidence.
Achilles is a great name , been there loved it
Paris killed Achilles . French will class that as a double victory over the naming then renaming of our SSNs Just Jesting
Except the French probably didn’t even notice Agincourt in the first place.
I guess they might, had it organised a port visit. 🤯
Tell you what if Starmer had any sense he would (sorry the Ships names and Badges Committee coincidentally would) name a major ship Enterprise rather than forgettable ones, as the original was a French ship captured by the British then later captured by the yanks and of course went on to directly inspire space ships real and made up. It’s the sort of thing all 3 Countries can claim affinity with especially Rocket man, if we forget about the capturing anyway.
Served in F12, great ship, awesome name. Happy with that. Wonder if the ship’s company will have beef with Agamemnon. Those guys did not get on.
Agincourt is a great name for a ship based in a Scottish port. Scotland was France’s ally during the 100 Years War.
Was there ever an HMS Robert the Bruce? What about HMS Macbeth. Or as we do love a Greek love affair why was there never an HMS Alexander the Great… I suppose they have to be mythical like our proposed ship numbers.
We should let the public name it like in a proper democracy, I suggest BoatyMcboatsarse to go with… you know the story.
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HMS Cut cut cut, or HMF FFBNW.
Or to keep with the A theme. HMS Austerity
😁👍
I thought you would prefer Roman Emperors on the off chance, hey it’s a A after all.
It’s all obfuscation as usual.
The original name was to have been Ajax until some clever clogs probably in Westminster will have pointed out that Ajax had played a major part in the ‘refoulement’ policy of repatriation to their country of embarkation European immigrants on refugee ships heading for Palestine immediately after WW2. The name change saves the government’s face regarding the complete failure to exercise the completely legal policy of refoulement regarding immigrants from France to Britain today.
HMS Climbdown.
Part of the U Turn Class? 😀
Its just daft. Who cares what the Frogs feel? I remember some US general calling them “cheese eating surrender monkies” once. I do not like this touchy, feely, sensitive world. I long for the age when men could be men, without upsetting men who pretend to be women. I don’t mind women serving on the front line. As long as they can carry mortar rounds and a GPMG and belts and use a bayonet. Live off compo for a month and drink me under the table. Yup, see I am a progressive.
What makes you think it’s anything to do with the Frogs? You’re too gullible.
I think that was Homer Simpson …
I guess HMS Reform would be your choice then, even better HMS Farage there you go a French name to keep them happy. Just as long as it’s not HMS Tommy Robinson though I think that one is taken for Musks new model American navy.
I always thought it was considered unlucky to change a vessels name?
Pollard doesn’t say why the name changed or who proposed the change. Not very transparent.
I think we should be less woke and a bit more concerned about getting ships in the water.
Stop selling the ones we have and making more.
As a side not Achilles should cost less… Less letters lol.
And Americans will be able to pronounce it. I’ve seen some Americans trying to say Agamemnon.
Yeah but then they have trouble with Leicester … or for Democracy for that matter I guess.
Ok was HMS Agincourt/Achilles damaged in the BAE submarine yard fire 10-31-2024 and has her completion date changed?
Explains nothing.
Pathetic woke nonsense.
Wasn’t the Achilles cruiser they keep referring to an HMNZS?
It started WW2 as HMS Achilles, but crewed by a New Zealand crew Later in the war when His Majesty’s New Zealand Navy was established Achilles transferred over.
Does anyone remember the frogs asking the paras for there passports,during the d day anniversary? Personally I would call them hms Waterloo,hms trafalgar, and hms Mers el kebir ,end off.
Thank god the Crecy engine never got off the ground, the French have long memories.
Pretty sure we’d ask to check French Paratroopers passports if they landed in the UK…