The United Kingdom will procure three offshore support vessels in conjunction with Norway under the next phase of the Mine Hunting Capability programme, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed, putting a number for the first time on the mothership fleet that will support the Royal Navy’s autonomous mine countermeasures systems.
The figure came in a written answer from Defence Minister Luke Pollard to Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who asked how many of the vessels referenced in the Defence Investment Plan the department intends to buy. “The Defence Investment Plan sets out the Government’s intention to pursue closer cooperation with Norway across a number of maritime capability areas. As part of the next phase of the Mine Hunting Capability programme, the Department will procure three Offshore Support Vessels, alongside enhanced autonomous mine countermeasures capability,” Pollard said, as quoted in the answer.
The answer is the latest confirmation of a plan that has taken shape in stages, with the Defence Investment Plan committing £1.1 billion to the Mine Hunting Capability programme and a separate written answer this week putting the offshore support vessel element at £90 million within the seabed warfare investments, described then as being procured in conjunction with Norway under the autonomous minehunting programme. What the latest answer adds is the number, three vessels, giving the programme a defined shape as it moves into its next phase.
The vessels answer a practical question created by the Royal Navy’s wholesale shift away from crewed minehunters, whose retirement was underlined this week when HMS Chiddingfold formally left service.
The uncrewed systems taking over the role, including the remotely operated boats delivered under the Anglo-French Maritime Mine Counter Measures programme with their towed sonars and mine neutralisation vehicles, need platforms to carry them to distant operating areas, launch and recover them, and sustain the operators who direct missions, a function the Navy has trialled using the converted commercial vessel RFA Stirling Castle. Dedicated offshore support vessels would put that mothership arrangement on an enduring footing, and commercial offshore designs of the type both the UK and Norway have already adapted for naval work offer a comparatively quick and affordable route to hulls.
The Norwegian dimension continues the run of maritime cooperation under the Lunna House Agreement, which spans Norway’s purchase of at least five Type 26 frigates built on the Clyde, joint operations against Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic, and now the shared procurement of mine warfare support shipping, with both nations facing the same challenge of protecting ports, approaches and offshore infrastructure across northern waters.
The answer does not say where the vessels will be built, how the buy will be divided between the two nations, or when they will enter service.
3 was always the number suggested.
I’ve read that these will be built in Norway, as part of the offset agreement. Also that it was confirmed that the RM CIC will also be built in Norway.
Minor detail, Stirling Castle is HMS now.
Is three really enough though? Seems very lean. Always better than nothing. Wondering then if the B1 River replacements might be variants of these or just nothing ordered? And all the P2000s? The B2 Rivers still very useful for global presence and might be wasted if kept locally.
Always the way Quintin!
With B1, “under review.” Possibly another way of saying we’re skint.
They need to keep B1s in service for another 6 year period so retiring them around 2034. In that time get 3 of these mine hunting in service and have a further batch of 5 for B1 replacements.
If we are thinking long term. 10 to replace B1 and B2. And then 5-10 for Drone motherships. That could be provided between 2030-2040
All easily done, where there’s a will!
With the announcement of us building 8 amphibious ships plus the 6 command ships then it makes sense for these to be built in Norway. Even if they are designated HMS and classed as a warship. We need these to be derived cheaply and quickly.
Agreed.
Even if it means an end to all complex warships for the RN being built in the UK? The words slope and slippery come to mind.
I’ve never supported that anyway.
I support kit in the militaries hands first and foremost. If our yards cannot and if we reciprocate to Norway by buying JSM, CIC, these, and whatever else for the 5 T26 they get from us then push on.
“Dedicated offshore support vessels would put that mothership arrangement on an enduring footing, and commercial offshore designs of the type both the UK and Norway have already adapted for naval work offer a comparatively quick and affordable route to hulls.”
Does this mean that the basic design would be for an HMS Stirling Castle style with a military upgrade for resilience etc??
90 million doesn’t buy much.
I recall Stirling alone was bought for 40 odd million, need to confirm that.
It’s actually HMS Stirling Castle now (not RFA as the article says)
Sorry to be that person !