The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that assessments are under way on whether to repair or decommission RFA Argus, while stressing that amphibious support remains available through the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Bay-class vessels.
Baroness Goldie asked what cost-benefit work had been done on Argus and what plans were in place for her replacement, as well as the risks of having no amphibious support ship available for service.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker responded on 16 September: “The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) retains three Bay Class Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) to support UK amphibious capability. The RFA has committed to at least one of these vessels maintaining appropriate readiness, while the others undergo deeper maintenance and upkeep.”
He added on Argus: “The RFA continue to work alongside Defence Equipment and Support surveyors and commercial partners to assess the cost and value of effecting the required repairs.”
RFA Argus arrived in Portsmouth on 8 June but has been unable to sail for repair in Falmouth after her safety certification was withdrawn. Both the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyd’s Register deemed her unfit even for the short voyage, meaning the Naval Service currently has no amphibious support vessel available. The RFA is working to resolve the issue, but the situation highlights the fragility of the support fleet and the increasing strain on ageing platforms.
Commissioned in 1988, Argus has alternated roles between aviation training, casualty receiving, and amphibious support. Decades of service have left her requiring extensive work to remain seaworthy, with the decision now resting on whether the costs of repair outweigh the benefits of retiring her.
Although officials point to the Bay-class ships as the backbone of amphibious capability, the loss of Argus leaves the Royal Navy without an active vessel in this role at present. No replacement programme has yet been announced, but the Defence Investment Plan due later this year is expected to provide more clarity on the future of the amphibious support fleet.
Another defence and capability cut incoming. I thought we were increasing our defence budget and capabilities. Clearly not.
I think it’s safe to say we won’t see her in RFA service again, I would guess the treasury pen pushers would never sign off on the kind of work she’ll need to be operational again. They might as well strike her off now and save everyone some time.
Cut it after a re fit, that is the normal way, then never replace it. Job done. What spin will the CDS and MOD put on this.
to little to late.
Another capability holiday
I hear Brazil is looking for a boat like this. Just saying…
Closest we’ve been to a World War in decades and they’re going to cut a key ship. IF there was a replacement lined up then sure but its the same thing time and time again.
We are an island nation. Vast majority of our economy is through sea trade routes. The Navy should be expanded.
I feel like I am taking crazy pills
I wondered where they had gone !
So in April 2025 just 5 months ago we had the following “The MOD has confirmed that RFA Argus will be joining the UK Carrier Strike Group for the latter part of its deployment to the Indio-Pacific region this year. The ship was assigned to Falmouth for a Future In-Service Support MOD contract in 2018. Argus has completed a comprehensive overhaul at APCL Falmouth, which included significant upgrades and alterations to her aircraft lift, as well as the upgrade, overhaul and the replacement of several onboard systems. This period marks a crucial phase in ensuring the continued service of RFA Argus ahead of her programmed Ship Life Extension, due to commence later this year”.
Now either the people in the know and manage this ship are either blind or incompetent, or we are just being told blatant lies. Is there any other explanation because I am at a loss to think of any.
Not necessarily either. It seems that for some reason Argus was deemed unsafe in June, which reason no one was aware of in April. A big reason by the sounds of it.
Unless you believe the Treasury have infiltrated the safety certification process and are deliberately deeming everything unsafe simply to save money, which sadly isn’t as unlikely as it sounds.
HMAS Choules where are you? Stunning snafu!
No surprise – the ship is nearly 45 years old. A replacement should have been ordered years ago.