
BAY VIEW The former RFA Largs Bay should arrive in Australia by the end of the year and become operational with the RAN in early 2012. (Dept of Defence)
Bay boosts Navy amphib fleet
Australia is acquiring the UK Bay class amphibious ship, RFA Largs Bay, to alleviate a rapid decline in Navy amphibious lift capability.
The Largs Bay (L3006) has been slated for disposal from the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) after just four years of service, following severe cutbacks across the UK armed forces implemented after last year’s Strategic Defence Sustainability Review (SDSR). The vessel entered service in 2006 and is one of four Bay class ships in RFA service based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design, similar to the Dutch HNLMS Rotterdam (L800) and Spanish SPS Galicia (L51) LPDs.
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