Navy chiefs rename HMS Agincourt submarine to appease French
Royal Navy officials are facing criticism for scrapping plans to name a brand new attack submarine after the famous Battle of Agincourt, the historic occasion when England triumphed over France.
instead.
The former defence secretary called the name change "nothing short of sacrilege", suggesting it may have been done to prevent offending the French government.
The company has secured a £1.5 billion contract to construct the HMS Agincourt, a seventh Astute-class hunter-killer submarine.
Defeated a stronger French force.
In William Shakespeare's Henry V, the king famously says: 'once more unto the breach'.
Mr Shapps and Sir Gavin have expressed criticism about the name change.
.”
Mr Shapps tweeted: "Changing the name of HMS Agincourt is a serious act of disrespect. This submarine bears a name commemorating a pivotal moment in British history."
’ proud heritage.”
‘Ideology gone mad’
and ideology gone mad”.
He told Times Radio: "This is a cowardly and contemptible defeat, I'm afraid, towards the ideology being pushed by our Government. It attempts to erase our history and everything we need to be proud of."
There is no text to paraphrase.
A lamentable lack of understanding about foreign affairs
Sir Ben Wallace, the former Defence Secretary, said to Times Radio that the French would not have taken umbrage with the name.
They don't let nicknames like that get to them. It's clear they have a very shallow understanding of international relations.
He noted that the French "celebrate their triumphs" but "are also well aware in their past record that they have not had all the triumphs".
“Therefore, if that's genuinely the reason for renaming it, that raises concerns that we're prioritising trivialities over genuine improvements to our defensive capabilities,” he said.
and Okinawa.
A Royal Navy spokesperson stated: "We take great pride in our country's illustrious military heritage and the numerous notable conflicts that have been participated in."
Achilles was decorated with battle honours during the Second World War.
The name was suggested by the Royal Navy Ships' Names and Badging Committee, and then approved by His Majesty the King.
The Ships' Names and Badges Committee puts forward recommendations for ship names to the Navy Board, which then presents its choices to the Defence Secretary for formal approval, before submitting them to the monarch for final royal consent.
The Royal Navy has declined to comment on why the name was altered. HMS Achilles remains under construction.
Downing Street refused to comment on the reason for omitting the name Agincourt from the list.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman stated: "The name was proposed by the Names and Badging Committee and was approved by His Majesty the King. I am unable to provide any further information on this matter."
The Prime Minister was asked whether he felt proud of England's contribution during the Battle of Agincourt, to which he replied: "Absolutely."
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