iscover
Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare have announced that Australia’s bid to acquire a surplus Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD), the RFA Largs Bay, from the UK has been successful.
The 16,000 tonne displacement, 176m long Largs Bay will be acquired for £65 million (A$102 million), pending successful completion of sea trials to be conducted by the RAN and Defence “to confirm the material state of the ship”, according to the ministers. Assuming that assessment is satisfactory (and the ship has already been inspected by Teekay Shipping Australia), the Largs Bay will arrive in Australia by the end of the year and become operational with the RAN in early 2012.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Fitted with a large helicopter deck able to carry two large helicopters, the Largs Bay can accommodate 350 troops and carry around 150 light trucks. Commissioned into Royal Fleet Auxiliary service in 2006, the Largs Bay became surplus following cuts announced in the UK’s 2010 Defence Strategic Review.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
