The Royal Navy faces a significant capability gap, with no active Landing Platform Dock (LPD) currently available.
HMS Albion, one of two Albion class Landing Platform Docks, has entered a state of reduced readiness, while her sister ship, HMS Bulwark, remains under maintenance.
During a recent parliamentary session, John Healey, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, sought clarity on the status of the HMS Bulwark. “For what reason is HMS Bulwark not ready for operations?” Healey queried.
James Cartlidge, the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, replied, “HMS Bulwark is undertaking scheduled maintenance before transitioning into regeneration to replace her sistership HMS Albion. We do not disclose the fine detail of forward availability to preserve the operational security of the Fleet.”
Please note, reader, this stance contrasts with past practices as the Ministry of Defence previously confirmed a Summer 2023 return for Bulwark.
Cartlidge, however, also recently elaborated on their longevity:
“On current plans, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will retire from service by the end of 2034. As part of the transformation of our Commando Forces, future amphibious capabilities are being developed in the form of the Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS).”
Since 2010, a policy has been in place to alternate the readiness of the RN’s two LPDs to save on costs. This means one ship is in ‘extended readiness’ while the other remains operational, switching roles approximately every five to six years.
While the MoD had given a return date for the HMS Bulwark in previous statements, signs now suggest it might be 2024 before the vessel resumes operations, you can read more about the specifics of this from the excellent NavyLookout.
Royal Navy LPD capability gapped as HMS Albion bows out before HMS Bulwark is available
Beggers belief
What’s new, we saw the same with:
Nimrod
AWAC
Carriers
Harriers
Harpoon
AS90 upgrade
Warrior upgrade
Air combat fleet
Soldier numbers
Type 23 numbers
The one thing the British Gov have become world experts in, is at creating “significant capability gaps” in anything defence. I mean look who’s the current Defence secretary
Spot on Farouk
Agree British GOV at it’s best 🙄 🇬🇧
And, correct me if I am wrong, all under the watchful eye of the conservative party?
Mostly, Tom, yes.
Of that list, Air Combat fleet went from around 23 Sqns down to 12 Sqns pre 2010, so under Labour, T23s, 3 were needlessly sold to Chile in 2004, while young, and during Labour’s 13 years the Royal Artillery had numerous programs cancelled, as did much of the army. So you can add lack of a AS90 upgrade there too.
The rest, gapping of MPA capability, AWACS, ASM, Carriers, some of the Harriers ( most went under Labour ) and big cuts to army manpower are all at the Tories door.
The carriers and Harriers went under the Tories.
“The rest, gapping of MPA capability, AWACS, ASM, CARRIERS, SOME OF THE HARRIERS ( most went under Labour ) and big cuts to army manpower are all at the TORIES door.”
Highlighted for you.
Hi mate, if as the polls suggest, we’re probably going to get a Labour government at the next General election, do you think our armed forces will fare any better under them?
No.
I wish you’d just give me a straight answer 😊, for what it’s worth, I completely agree.
😆
Both party’s bad decisions and poor on defence .Is there ever going be a Answer 🤔
when the public know as much of he details about the defence as they know about health, education or policing
The problem is often that the ministers in charge have no idea about anything at all. They are often ex journalists or finance people and have no idea about the actual world… we had a good previous defence secretary (who had a military background) and things seems to start getting a bit better. Now we have grant shapps who probably struggles to tie his own shoelaces!
Add Suppression of Enemy Air Defence capability to your list or capabilities lost aa we haven’t had it for some years since we gave up the ALARM missile.
And even some capabilities that we still have are being downgraded such as ASW sensors in the Navy (T31 has none and is replacing T23 GP which has a decent hull mounted sonar) and the move to turretless wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicles to replace Warrior.
We all hope that last point is only because a turret has yet to be chosen. DSEI is showing several that are all compatible with Boxer and which are non hull penetrating.
Alarm went out of service years ago. And unless you are 5th gen Stealth. Assets won’t be going anywhere near an integrated air defence system until F35, B2 and hundreds of cruise missiles have done their job. F35, and Typhoon once ECRS MK2 radar is in service will electronic attack capability. Or SEAD/DEAD capability.
Well said, our Armed forces are one of the few institutions left in this country that can be genuinely considered world class, and look what consecutive governments have done to them, a national disgrace.
A truly chilling list….and yet politicians like to spout their mantra that ‘the defence of the nation and its people is the first duty of Government!’
First no type 45s at sea then no subs , now no LPD , type 23,s about knackered , what has our once supreme navy become ?
T23’s now getting NSM, T45’s getting an additional 24 Sea Ceptors plus BMD capability. We have two fantastic aircraft carriers at sea with 5th gen capabilit. I doubt we are planning on storming the beaches of the Crimea anytime soon. So I guess we will survive until next summer.
The UK could not storm the beaches of Crimea if it wanted to, unless perhaps using Ryanair. The experience in that part of the world is not good.
The RN does have annual leave periods during August.
Here we go again. A load of meaningless gobbilygook.. Once there both alongside for months on end the excuse will be made that “Actually, due to their lack of availability we’ve managed without so we’ve decided we don’t actually need them”. The money saved will be spent on buying spares for a Wildcat helicopter, just the one obviously.😡
Other assets are available. Bulwark will be back in service next year. We are not planning on storming any beaches anytime soon. The RN have to balance manning requirements. Its not ideal, but difficult decisions have to be made when manning is a struggle. We have both carriers at sea. Taskings are being fulfilled. Other nations face the same problems and much worse.
Two carriers are crewed and at sea, probably not a coincidence that Bulwark with a crew of 325 is not recomissioned yet – not enough sailors. ASW and escorts carrier strike are probably priorties right now, not amphibs. Look to see Bulwark back when one of the carriers is back in port.
Mounts Bay is also in the Baltic with RM elements and Argus is about to deploy with RM for the inaugural LRG(S) deployment.
At the moment, maybe they consider the amphibious side covered.
Not ideal, as LRG(N) should have 1 LPD, 1 Bay.
Does having both carriers active have any connection with the LPD’s reduced state?
Anyone know what the delay to Bulwark actually is?
Now then John, you know that some of our impressionable, sensitive and easily influenced members will have their precious feelings upset with that type of talk…
Let’s have a grovelling apology please….
Service people in the army say the mixed showers have been around for a while when deployed – hardly a thing anymore for the young generation
I’m not sure what “mixed showers” is a euphemism for Dunker, probably best not to ask….
Mixed accomodation, and ablutions have become a thing even in barracks now tbf. Not everywhere, and I’m sure it’s a minority of camps, but it definitely does happen.
Hi mate, any notification?
None.
Now?
John, let me remind you you where the one who ran away with his tail between his legs when people tried to have an adult conversation about the actual science involved here.
If anyone is sensitive and has their precious feelings upset, it’s you.
Not good at all, the state of the RN is so depleted it is hardly to be considered a genuine fighting force, Britannia couldn’t rule a village pond any more let alone the waves, with what’s going on in Ukraine right now, this is a shocking state of affairs.
Will still push your country’s stool in, wherever you’re from.
I’m not sure why they would reduce the readiness state of Albion if bulwark is not ready to take over….seems a bizarre set of decision making processes….just using my own experience one Emergency Department shift does not bugger off home until the other has taken over….and sometimes that has meant teams working for 16-24 hours without relief ( during snow events where staff could not get into work).
On the way to Brazil I wonder 🇧🇷 😎
And that is why I wouldn’t want to work for the NHS. Too much hard work😂😂🤦🏼♂️
The only way this country will relearn the importance of having sufficiently armed forces at readiness is through disaster. If what is happening in Europe now and the build up of Chinese forces isn’t enough to shock our politicians to action, nothing will.
All of it is deliberate
None of the mainstream political parties will do anything different
Yet 99% of this room will continue to vote for them . Every single time it’s the same story before any election promises promises promises
The definition of insanity repeating the same thing over but expecting a different result
Good luck
🏴🇬🇧
Just shows how pathetic the government really is.
The whole of the parliament is a joke, defence is not on the list of priorities however the giving themselves a great big pays rise for doing absolutely crap all, here endeth the lesson
Every government since Churchill has got there priorities wrong. First responsibility of govt is to protect its people. We have first class people in our armed forces. We have first class w***kers in govt, doesn’t matter who Lab, Con. Shambles all of them.
Possibly unpopular opinion: I’ll take it.
Gapping naval fixed wing was considered unthinkable back when the last Harriers were binned, but I daresay without the savings from that exercise CSG would never be what it is today.
So let Albion and Bulwark carry on as is, focus on getting a good MRSS capability. Let’s look AHEAD.
Before we go jumping up and down blaming the Govt GEORGE. 2024 is 3 months away. it was noticeable POWs left Pompey with a much lower crew than QE. Crew numbers maybe a issue here and do we need to have Bulwark @ sea NOW. CLICKBAITE SHAME
I am trying really hard to understand how the hell that happened. HMS Bulwark was dry docked in 2020 and underwent or should have under gone refit and repair/ upgrade packages to be ready for operations in 2023. The Treasury has had three years to make sure MoD and the RN had the money and resources to do this. I am not fully sure but I think that HMS Bulwark has been along side since 2017, a full six years to get ready for her 2023 deployment. At this moment in time we have a Royal Navy with no operational… Read more »
Good job we got bay boats then or had you forgotten about them.