GDR 99 - Seaborne Systems

Preparing
to Take the Plunge


Section Articles
• Fresh Approach to Sub Upgrades • Britain's New Strategic Carrier • How to Run a Tight Ship • Preparing to Take the Plunge • Dream Comes True for Dutch
Top: The primary role of HMS Ocean is to carry an embarked military force supported by 12 medium support helicopters and six attack helicopters as well as having the capability to operate Royal Navy FA2 Harriers and RAF GA7 Harriers

David Reynolds reports on a new generation of Royal Navy ships that can deploy forces capable of mounting operations across the military spectrum.

Britain's new amphibious strategy is based on the requirement to deploy a brigade-sized amphibious capability anywhere in the world as a core component of the UK's joint rapid reaction force (JRRF). It will be spearheaded by the fleet's first dedicated helicopter carrier and two assault ships ordered to replace HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid that are more than 30 years old.

This enhanced UK amphibious force will provide the strategic ability to deploy a military task group as a national force, or as part of the UK/NL amphibious force working alongside, or deploying troops aboard the HNLMS Rotterdam that entered service in 1997 with the Netherlands navy. The UK element of this latter unit is declared to NATO and contributes to rapid reaction forces.

The UKNLLF comprises 3 Commando Brigade and the group of operational unit marines (GOUM) of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. This specialist unit contributes to an extremely potent amphibious strike force and since being commissioned into service HMNLS Rotterdam has taken part in several amphibious operations.

This close co-operation was highlighted during HMS Ocean's trials in the Caribbean when the carrier spearheaded a mercy mission off the Mosquito Coast of central America in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. A detachment of Netherlands marines was already embarked alongside 45 Commando and deployed into Honduras to assist in disaster relief. HMS Ocean's commanding officer, Capt Bob Turner, had to interrupt the ship's trials and render assistance to the civil population in central America supplying food, medicine and humanitarian aid across the country, including supplies of freshwater from the ship that can produce 300 tons of water a day.

Capt Turner said: "The ship is not fully operational, yet she proved her worth in providing humanitarian relief to the civil population. Our helicopters were essential to the mission. They allowed us to identify the worst affected areas and to distribute tons of food and medical supplies."

The early dispatch of expeditionary forces to areas of potential conflict, exploiting the greater time available aboard the ships to prepare for operations as well as the ability to be self sufficient and independent of shore infrastructure, is a major asset to a force commander. The value of such amphibious forces was highlighted during the Gulf War when an embarked force of US marines poised off the coast of Kuwait committed five Iraqi divisions to defensive positions.

In the late 1990s the tactical deployment of an amphibious force is directed by maritime doctrine that covers three key aspects of operation; military operations, constabulary operations and benign operations. Military action can involve the direct deployment of forces against the land as well as the projection of maritime power by means of the amphibious task group (ATG).

Right: HMS Ocean, the first of the Royal Navy's new assets, was launched in 1995

The first of the RN's new assets, the landing platform helicopter (LPH) HMS Ocean, was launched in 1995 and joined the fleet in May 1998 at Portsmouth for sea trials after being delivered from VSEL's Barrow-in-Furness base. It was at Barrow where HMS Ocean underwent her final fitting-out of weapons, communication and command systems following construction at Kvaerner Govan shipyard on the Clyde.

HMS Ocean, the first dedicated carrier of its type to enter service, was ordered in the 1980s to provide the type of amphibious assault capability last offered by the aircraft carriers HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark and HMS Hermes that underwent dockyard modifications to provide a key role as commando carriers during the 1970s but were sold off by 1982. So after almost 20 years since the last commando carrier retired, HMS Ocean has returned the role to the fleet. Her primary role is to carry an embarked military force supported by 12 medium-support helicopters and six attack helicopters, and have the capability to operate Royal Navy FA2 Harriers and RAF GR7 Harriers.

At present, embarked aviation squadrons are equipped with Sea King and Lynx helicopters. However, in the next three years the new EH101 helicopter will replace the Sea King and a maritime version of the Apache attack will replace the Lynx.

By mid-1999 HMS Ocean will have completed both hot and cold weather trials and after official acceptance into the fleet she will deploy for amphibious exercises in the US prior to heading a multi-national deployment to the Mediterranean that will culminate in a seaborne assault into Egypt.

The carrier has an integral vehicle deck that can accommodate up to 40 Land Rovers their trailers and six 105mm light guns. The 21,578-tonne vessel is also fitted with four landing craft for the surface movement of embarked forces. Based at Plymouth naval base in Devon, the headquarters of 3 Commando Brigade, HMS Ocean will spearhead a new amphibious force that is due to be completed early in the next century when new LPDs are delivered. Also built by VSEL, the two new landing platform dock ships (LPDs) assault ships are scheduled to enter service in 2002 and 2003. In addition two new landing ship logistic (LSLs) are planned to replace RFA Sir Geraint and RFA Sir Pecivale within the next five years.

The two new LPDs, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will provide a key role alongside HMS Ocean in the UK's new amphibious group that will continue to be supported by five specialist landing ships (LSLs). Based at Marchwood in Hampshire, they are responsible for the primary sea lift of the air and sea-deployable elements of the joint rapid reaction force. On operations the amphibious task group provides an offshore platform to mount both air-assault and sea-borne missions. The LPD's integral dock at the aft section of the ships can be flooded providing an enclosed docking area for landing craft utility (LCU) and landing craft vehicle platform (LCVPs) to load troops, stores and vehicles for delivery to the beachhead.

The new design Mk10 LCUs will be built by BAe SEMA, and two pre-series production vessels are scheduled for delivery to the marines in November 1999 for trials and evaluation by the amphibious trials and training unit.

The ability to offload a landing force from the LPDs quickly and efficiently is vital and in addition to the LCU the assault ships will carry four landing craft vehicle platforms (LCVPs) that will be capable of ferrying 35 troops or several light-skinned vehicles ashore. To counter growing global instability, the UK's amphibious forces will be totally upgraded by the early part of the 21st century with new ships, helicopters and weaponry to ensure its commander can deliver and sustain a military force for operations in any area of the world. The future development of amphibious power will be further boosted by the aviation support group proposed in the UK's strategic defence review. Called the joint force 2000 initiative, it is intended to build upon the success of recent joint operations from the RN's aircraft carriers operating in the Gulf that included a joint air package of the RN's air defence Sea Harrier FA2 and the RAF's ground attack Harrier the GR7.

This new force also will benefit from a new fixed-wing maritime group, including Nimrod aircraft, and be co-ordinated by RAF Strike Command under the control of a RN rear admiral, the group being commanded by an RAF air commodore. Joint force 2000 is scheduled to be operational by April 2001.