HMS Albion is taking part in a huge exercise designed to train troops to defend a NATO member state effectively.
The vessel is participating Exercise Joint Viking 23, alongside NATO allies and partners, in Norway’s fjords.
Great to exercise our combined forces in 🇳🇴 's harsh yet stunning environment. Lots learned, we are definitely #StrongerTogether https://t.co/IrXmgh3GSe
— HMS Albion (@hms_albion) March 16, 2023
The exercise is organised by Norway and designed to evaluate allied forces’ cold weather warfare skills, ensuring their readiness to fight across the Arctic’s waters and challenging terrain seamlessly. In the words of NATO, “20,000 NATO troops, plus Finland and Sweden, are training to defend Norway”.
🇳🇴🇬🇧🇺🇸 troops during the largest exercises in Europe’s Arctic this year
This month 20,000 #NATO troops, plus Finland and Sweden, are training to defend Norway⁰⁰ #JointViking23 | #JointWarrior pic.twitter.com/O6aM5xJYYf
— NATO (@NATO) March 15, 2023
HMS Albion is one of two Albion class landing platform docks. Their primary function is to embark, transport, deploy and recover troops and their equipment. Each ship can host 305 troops with an overload of a further 405. The class features a vehicle deck capacity of up to six tanks and around 30 armoured all-terrain vehicles.
The Albion’s also feature a floodable well dock, with the capacity to take either four utility landing craft (each capable of carrying a Challenger 2 tank) or shelter a hovercraft landing craft.
Four smaller landing craft are positioned on port and starboard davits, each capable of carrying 35 troops. Each ship features a two-spot 64m flight deck able to take medium support helicopters and stow a third or operate a Chinook. However, the Albion design does not have a hangar.
Off topic-ish: With AUKUS pronouncements, DSEI and GCAP, two major naval/multi-domain exercises, everywhere rearming, and oh yes, a war going on in Europe, it’s suddenly very hard to keep up.
If the Type 32 is still in the plans, I hope it is based off the Absalon class. It would be a smart way to enhance amphibious and sealift capabilities while still procuring additional frigates.
I’ve never seen a snow camo L85 before – looks really sharp
Info is a bit out dated.
They are now 2 spot simultaneous Chinook capable.
They can carry more tanks than that.
RM doesnt have hovercraft anymore.
And that photo of the Ch2 being offloaded by the LCU, looks like it is at Browndown.