American vehicles and equipment were delivered to Croatia by a British sealift vessel in support of Exercise ‘DEFENDER Europe 21’, a large-scale US Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between US, NATO allies and partner militaries.
MV Hurst Point was handled by 9 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps whilst at Zadar, Croatia on May the 6th, 2021.
This year more than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region.
The Point class sealift ships, while operated by a private company, are designed for the strategic transport of military cargo and vehicles and are available for use as naval auxiliaries to the British armed forces when required.
The vessels have 2,650 linear metres of space for vehicles which is able to house 130 armoured vehicles and 60 trucks and ammunition or 8,000 tonnes of vehicles.
Four ships were built by the German company Flensburger Schiffbau Gesellschaft and two built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast.
They replaced the RFA Sea Centurion and Sea Crusader in service.
The full six-ship service was only to be required for major operations and exercises, which prompted the MoD to pursue a contract for their long term service under a Private Finance Initiative. Under the contract the provider can make ships available for commercial service with other companies at times when they are not needed by MoD, two of the ships however have been let go from this arrangement leaving the MoD with only four should they be required.
The four remaining are MV Hurst Point, MV Hartland Point, MV Eddystone and MV Anvil Point.
The vessels have 2,650 linear metres of space for vehicles which is able to house 130 armoured vehicles and 60 trucks and ammunition or 8,000 tonnes of vehicles.
Should have had Cat’s and Trap’s…… ( I know…. Behave !) 😆
How about making do with Cats & Rats?
Ha, Every Ship has a cat to catch Rats I guess, so, yup, why not mate…… But on a serious note though, a few of these equipped with C&T’s and below deck RORO storage would be a great addition to RN Capability….. Especially painted in a Dazzle finish. But Heck, what do I know ? 😁
Really great ships that add a punch to our ability to deploy globally that no military outside of the US can match. A rare example of intelligent procurement by the MoD
Absolutely mate, however, being able to deploy them and make a real difference is another thing in a War like scenario, especially when you consider a country like China with 400 angry Ships not to mention thousands of others……..
While we might be sticking our noses into the Chinese’s business, I’m not sure they have much interest in heading up our way, at least for now…..
Only a matter of time though mate……. The way I see it is they are settling a few old Scores…. Actively searching for West Coast African Base’s and carrying out joint exercises with Russia which as we know led to the PLAN sailing through the English Channel a few years back…….. I wonder when a PLAN Ship will sail up the Thames sort of like HMS Amethist ?
Using their ‘Belt and Braces’ initiative they’ll probably ‘buy’ a base from Sturgeon should Scotland get independence.
Well mate, I wouldn’t be at all shocked truth be known…… hopefully though, the 5 million Scots will see the real benefit of staying in the union.
Results from recommendation in post OP GRANBY Report. C17s acquired also.
We should have bought the two mystral class assault landing ships made by France that were sold to Turkey