19:55
Why would Britain willingly dismantle its own amphibious fleet while waiting for eight new ships whose designs have not even been finalized? That question is more than just rhetoric. Since late 2024, the Royal Navy has taken what many consider a bold, if not reckless, step, retiring its two Albion-class amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, well ahead of their original early 2030s retirement schedule. Neither vessel had sailed since 2023 and 2017, respectively, having been placed in extended readiness with no plans to return to active service. HMS Bulwark is now slated to be sold to the Brazilian Navy, while HMS Albion awaits a similar fate.
That leaves Britain's entire amphibious capability resting on just three Bay-class ships and the aging RFA Argus, a combination that defense analysts say is significantly less capable than the fleet it replaces. The Albion-class was, in fact, a highly capable class of landing platform docks for its size, displacing around 20,000 tons and featuring a well dock large enough to accommodate heavy landing craft, far larger than the ships currently serving as their temporary replacements. The British government itself has acknowledged that the Albion-class's role is now being carried out by the smaller and less effective Bay-class vessels, supported by the RFA Argus, a ship that is already 45
years old. The Bay-class ships are certainly versatile and have long served as the backbone of Britain's amphibious logistics. However, they cannot carry as many troops or vehicles as the Albion-class, can embark only about half the number of landing craft, and were built to commercial rather than full military standards. As a result, in terms of combat survivability and transport capacity, the Bay-class represents a compromise rather than an equivalent replacement. The story of RFA Argus is even more dramatic. Originally built as a commercial cargo ship, it was hastily converted to support the 1982 Falklands War before being purchased outright by the Ministry of Defense in 1984 and transformed into a hospital ship and
aviation training platform. After more than four decades of service, including deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023, its physical condition deteriorated to the point that its safety certification was withdrawn, leaving it unable to sail under its own power. In early 2026, the Royal Navy officially confirmed that the ship would be permanently retired. So, when Britain's new replacement program is described as succeeding the Albion class, Bay class, and RFA Argus all at once, the reality is that the country is attempting to replace three generations of ships, each with different ages, designs, and roles with a single unified solution. According to
several defense analysts, this is a calculated gamble aimed at reducing the cost of maintaining aging platforms while accelerating the transition to a more capable amphibious force for the future. This is where the Damen Enforcer 15628 emerges as a leading contender. Ironically, the original Enforcer design served as the blueprint for the UK's Bay class landing ships, as well as the Dutch Rotterdam class and the Spanish Galicia class. In other words, the new vessel is, in a sense, a descendant of the very ships it is set to replace. Damen completely redesigned the Enforcer family in 2023. This time tailoring it specifically to meet the future joint operational requirements of
the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. From a technical standpoint, the Enforcer 15628 is smaller than the Albion class. It has a nominal length of 156 m and a full load displacement of around 14,000 tons compared to the Albions 20,000 tons. However, it is designed as a far more agile platform, optimized for the future commando force concept. The ship can accommodate a crew of approximately 150 personnel, along with between 430 and 560 troops, depending on mission requirements. It features a 1,530 square meter vehicle deck, a floodable well dock, side-mounted roll-on/roll-off access, and a two-spot flight deck. What makes the design particularly interesting is that it is not intended for classic Cold War style
amphibious assaults involving brigade-sized landings on hostile beaches. Much of the forward deck, which resembles a flight deck at first glance, is actually a dedicated area designed to carry and power up to six 40-ft ISO containers, including modular weapon systems. Meanwhile, the hangar is only large enough to accommodate two medium-class NH90 helicopters and unmanned aerial systems. In terms of armament, the proposed configuration includes a 76-mm main gun, two 30-mm cannons, a Phalanx close-in weapon system, and decoy launchers, but notably omits a vertical launch missile system. This decision remains the subject of debate, especially considering that these ships may have to transit high-risk waterways, such as the Bab el Mandeb Strait.
The growing threat posed by drones to vessels of this type is also increasingly viewed as a global concern, rather than an issue confined to any single maritime choke point. The 2.4 billion pounds agreement was officially announced on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7th, 2026. Under the deal, each country will receive four ships. Although they will operate as national assets, they are expected to be deployed together frequently. The program revives the concept of Project Katarina, a joint UK-Dutch initiative that Britain withdrew from in 2024, after which the Netherlands chose to continue
independently. The operational focus is clear, supporting both nations presence in the high north and the Caribbean. Interestingly, the UK's original plan was far more ambitious. The multi-role strike ship concept initially envisioned a class of up to six large vessels displacing between 25,000 and 40,000 tons, complete with hangars capable of accommodating Chinook helicopters and the option to integrate Dragonfire laser weapons. However, the 2026 defense investment plan concluded that the MRSS had become too complex and no longer reflected the structure of the evolving future commando force. As a result, the Ministry of Defense shifted its focus toward exploring opportunities within the Dutch program. Budget realities
ultimately scaled back the vision of a massive amphibious assault ship into a leaner, more practical platform. Some analysts have described it as an affordable mini LHD, a highly automated multi-purpose vessel with a relatively modest crew requirement. It is essentially the maritime equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, versatile and adaptable, though not intended for high-end anti-submarine warfare or operations as part of a carrier strike group. The broader context is equally significant. This agreement follows a similar UK-Norway deal covering five Type 26 frigates and forms part of Britain's wider investment in building a hybrid fleet that combines advanced warships with autonomous surface and underwater drones. For the Royal Marines and the
Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, this is about far more than simply replacing aging ships. It is about redefining what amphibious operations will look like in the decades ahead, smaller, more dispersed, increasingly reliant on drones, and far more integrated among NATO allies. What is clear is that the stakes are high. The United Kingdom has chosen to relinquish a proven amphibious capability today in exchange for the promise of a more modern force tomorrow. As is often the case with major defense procurement programs, however, the gap between ambitious promises and ships that actually enter service may prove to be the greatest challenge of all. That's all for today's episode and thanks for watching.
