In dire straits – the RFA in crisis

Since its creation in 1905, the RFA has played a vital role in supporting the Royal Navy globally, a role that has adapted and changed over time to include support for allied countries.

Today, the RFA provides logistical support by various means and also undertakes tasks that traditionally might have been assigned to an OPV, frigate, or destroyer.

Very often overlooked by the public and politicians, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary provides critical logistical support to the Royal Navy and our allies, anywhere, anytime.

This article is the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the UK Defence Journal. If you would like to submit your own article on this topic or any other, please see our submission guidelines. 

Many Royal Navy deployments call for an RFA vessel to support them, either directly with fuel and stores or indirectly using landing ships.

Other tasks for the RFA see the ships operate alone and unsupported by the Royal Navy, sometimes due to a lack of numbers or because the tasking area is considered low threat.
One of the more common standalone tasks is humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR), many of which are undertaken by the RFA each year, given the variety of roles these ships can perform.

Today’s Issues: Ships and Crew

Ship numbers in both the RFA and Royal Navy have decreased significantly since the early 2000s. This means the RFA fleet has been filling in some capability gaps for the Royal Navy, even though the RFA itself has seen a drastic reduction in ship numbers (around 50% since 2003).

It should come as no surprise that ship reductions and increased tasking have had a major impact in terms of capability, availability, and overall morale in the service.
Many deployments have become longer, with the number of ships laid up due to a lack of crews also increasing. Ultimately, this becomes a cyclic event until, eventually, the whole system grinds to a halt.

This is where the RFA finds itself today—on strike. The ship reductions, coupled with longer sea time, reduced time alongside, and a pay freeze since 2010, have combined to create one of the most embarrassing sagas to date.

The RFA is losing crews, either to the Merchant Navy or to those leaving seafaring professions altogether. In addition, the number of recruits is down as many opt for other careers or shipping lines.

Why Does It Matter?

“Amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics.” Without the RFA, the Royal Navy would not be able to function as a modern blue-water navy. What the RFA does is enable global operations to be sustained long term.

Time and again, government cuts frivolously discard this capability without considering the wider consequences. Oversimplifying the RFA as merely a provider of fuel and stores is erroneous. For example, the RFA currently has the only amphibious landing ships available for immediate use, as HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark have been laid up due to a lack of crew.

Other significant capabilities rest with the 43-year-old converted merchant ship, RFA Argus. She alone provides dedicated hospital facilities and is often the first responder to many crises worldwide.

One of the more worrying aspects of the RFA’s situation is the abolition of dry stores ships. RFA Fort Rosalie and RFA Fort Austin have been sold to Egypt, meaning the only ship left with limited dry stores capability is the elderly multirole RFA Fort Victoria, which is also laid up due to a lack of crew.

Without such vital ships and the crews to operate them, the entirety of UK foreign policy has to be called into question. Large-scale operations would simply struggle to maintain momentum over extended periods. This also raises concerns about the HADR missions the RFA routinely undertakes.

The future

With concerning global issues currently unfolding, the Royal Navy and RFA have been decimated. Both have lost ships and, more importantly, trained professional crews.
While the top brass try to put a brave face on the situation, it is clear to all that dissatisfaction within the service is widespread. While the public may not always understand the role the RFA and Royal Navy play, they should be concerned.

The loss of capabilities, trust, and confidence takes years to rebuild, and it affects our long-term relationships with allies. Someday soon, the proverbial will hit the fan, and someone will have to say, “I’m sorry, Prime Minister, due to cuts, we cannot complete this tasking.” If the current trajectory continues, that day may come sooner rather than later.