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Bay-class landing ship

{{Short description|2006 class of British landing ships}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox ship begin |sclass=2}}

{{Infobox ship image

|Ship image= RFA Mounts Bay, a Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (LSD(A)), leaving Portsmouth Dockyard MOD 45145830.jpg

|Ship caption=RFA Mounts Bay leaving Portsmouth

}}

{{Infobox ship class overview

|Name=

|Builders=Swan Hunter and BAE Systems Naval Ships

|Operators=*{{flagicon image|British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg}} Royal Fleet Auxiliary

  • {{navy|AUS}}

|Class before={{sclass2|Round Table|landing ship logistics|4}}

|Class after= Multi Role Strike Ship (planned)

|Subclasses=

|Cost=*{{ShipCost|GBR|596|m|quantity=4}}

  • {{ShipCost|GBR|149|m|quantity=1}}
  • BAE ships cost {{ShipCost|GBR|127|m|quantity=1|suffix=to build|ref=}}

|Built range=28 January 2002-26 November 2007

|In service range=

|In commission range=13 July 2006-present

|Total ships completed=4

|Total ships active=4

|Total ships laid up=

|Total ships lost=

|Total ships retired=

|Total ships preserved=

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

|Ship type=Landing ship dock

|Ship displacement={{convert|16160|t|LT|lk=on}}

|Ship length={{convert|579.4|ft|abbr=on}}

|Ship beam={{convert|86.6|ft|abbr=on}}

|Ship draught={{convert|19|ft|abbr=on}}

|Ship propulsion=*2 × Wärtsilä 8L26 generators, {{convert|6000|hp|MW|abbr=on}}

  • 2 × Wärtsilä 12V26 generators, {{convert|9000|hp|MW|abbr=on}}
  • 2 × azimuthing thrusters
  • 1 × bow thruster

|Ship speed={{convert|18|kn|lk=in}}

|Ship range={{convert|8000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|abbr=on}}

|Ship troops=356 (standard), 700 (overload)

|Ship capacity=

1,150 linear metres of vehicles (up to 24 Challenger 2 tanks or 150 light trucks)

Cargo capacity of 200 tons ammunition or 24 TEU containers

|Ship boats=*1 × LCU or 2 × LCVP in well deck

|Ship crew=70 (RFA, core only), 158 (RAN)

|Ship complement=

|Ship armament=*Fitted for:

  • 2 × DS30B Mk 1 30 mm guns{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-all-rounder-the-30mm-automated-small-calibre-gun-in-focus/ |title=The all-rounder – the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun in focus |work= Navy Lookout|date=13 January 2021 |access-date=29 March 2023}}
  • 2 × Phalanx CIWS{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/last-ditch-defence-the-phalanx-close-in-weapon-system-in-focus/ |title=Last ditch defence – the Phalanx close-in weapon system in focus |work= Navy Lookout |date=10 August 2020 |access-date=29 March 2023}}
  • 4 × 7.62mm Mk44 Miniguns (may be replaced by Browning .50 caliber heavy machine guns as of 2023){{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/in-focus-the-fleet-solid-support-ship-design/ |title=In focus: the Fleet Solid Support ship design |publisher=Navy Lookout |date=28 February 2023 |access-date=14 April 2023}}
  • 6 × 7.62mm L7 GPMG
  • Individual outfit varies across class

|Ship armour=

|Ship aircraft=

|Ship aircraft facilities=Flight deck for helicopters up to Chinook-size; temporary hangar can be fitted

|Ship notes=Derivative of the Enforcer ship design

}}

The Bay class is a ship class of four dock landing ships built for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) during the 2000s. They are based on the Dutch-Spanish Royal Schelde Enforcer design, and replaced the {{sclass2|Round Table|landing ship logistics|0}} logistics ships. Two ships each were ordered from Swan Hunter and BAE Systems Naval Ships. Construction work started in 2002, but saw major delays and cost overruns, particularly at Swan Hunter's shipyard. In mid-2006, Swan Hunter was stripped of work, and the incomplete second ship was towed to BAE's shipyard for completion. All four ships, {{Ship|RFA|Largs Bay|L3006|2}}, {{ship|RFA|Lyme Bay|L3007|2}}, {{Ship|RFA|Mounts Bay|L3008|2}}, and {{ship|RFA|Cardigan Bay|L3009|2}} had entered service by 2007.

Since entering service, the Bay-class ships have been used for amphibious operations, training of the Iraqi Navy in the Persian Gulf, counter-drug deployments in the Caribbean, and relief operations following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2010, Largs Bay was removed from service as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. She was sold to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 2011, who operate her as {{HMAS|Choules|L100|6}}.

Since 2020, the RFA has used the ships for littoral warfare as part of Littoral Response Groups. The ships are expected to serve with the RFA into the 2030s, after which they are expected to be replaced by new Multi-Role Support Ships.

Development

The Bay class was designed as a replacement for the five {{sclass2|Round Table|landing ship logistics|0}} logistics ships operated by the RFA. Planning for the class began in the 1990s, after the original intent to modernise and extend the service life of three Round Tables ran into problems with extensive corrosion and problems implementing new safety standards.Scott, Sweating the asset: versatility is the key to LSD(A) multi-tasking After the first Round Table returned to service two years late and after excessive cost, the Ministry of Defence began to investigate the acquisition of new ships.

In April 2000, the MoD released an Invitation to Tender for two ships under a budget of £150 million, with the option to acquire three more. Appledore Shipbuilders, BAE Systems Naval Ships and Swan Hunter submitted tenders, but only Swan Hunter's design met all the tender requirements, at a price of £148 million.{{cite web | url=http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0708/ministry_of_defence_major_pro.aspx | title=Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2007 Volume III: The Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) Project | date=30 November 2007 | isbn=9780102951486 | publisher=National Audit Office | access-date=11 July 2012 | archive-date=13 March 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313185746/http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0708/ministry_of_defence_major_pro.aspx | url-status=dead }} A shortfall of work for BAE's Govan yard led to fears that it could not deliver the Type 45 destroyers and {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|1}}s planned for later in the decade, so the Treasury agreed to fund an additional two LSDs to be built at Govan.

=Construction=

The contract for {{Ship|RFA|Largs Bay|L3006|2}} and {{ship|RFA|Lyme Bay|L3007|2}} was awarded to Swan Hunter on 18 December 2000 and the £122 million contract for {{Ship|RFA|Mounts Bay|L3008|2}} and {{ship|RFA|Cardigan Bay|L3009|2}} was awarded to BAE on 19 November 2001. Construction on Largs Bay started at Swan Hunter on 28 January 2002, and on Mounts Bay at BAE on 25 August 2002.Saunders (ed.), Jane's Fighting Ships 2008-2009, p. 876

Swan Hunter struggled to manage the project and contain costs; only 7% of the design drawings were provided on time and more than 52% were over a year late. Swan Hunter's owner, Jaap Kroese, has blamed the MoD for continually changing the specifications.{{cite news | url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/People+blame+the+MoD+for+Swan+Hunter's+decline,+not+me.+But+I+Know...-a0174752585 | title=People blame the MoD for Swan Hunter's decline, not me. But I Know better | first=Gareth | last=Deighan | newspaper=Evening Chronicle | location=Newcastle | date=14 February 2008}} The extent of the problems only came to light in September 2003, when Swan Hunter said they could not fulfill the contract at the agreed price. In November 2004, progress on Largs Bay was delayed by water entering two engines during engine trials, putting the planned first of class behind work on BAE's first ship. The following month the government agreed to pay Swan Hunter an extra £84 million under new contract terms, but in June 2005 Swan Hunter said that they still could not finish the job within budget. This led to their contract being cancelled and BAE taking over the project in July 2006. In total Swan Hunter had been paid £342 million and BAE £254 million, making a total of £596 million for the four ships.

File:Govan Shipbuilders - geograph.org.uk - 465129.jpg

Mounts Bay entered service in July 2006, followed by Largs Bay in November of that year, 28 months later than originally planned. The incomplete Lyme Bay was towed to Govan for completion by BAE.Armstrong, Last Ship Leaves the TyneBBC News, Unfinished ship arrives on Clyde Lyme Bay was dedicated on 26 November 2007; the last ship of the class to enter RFA service. The ship was the only warship built by Swan Hunter but not completed; she marked the end of shipbuilding on the Tyne, as soon afterwards Swan Hunter sold its equipment to India and reinvented itself as an engineering consultancy.

Characteristics

The Bay class is certified as a class 1 passenger ship, with design similarities to ro-pax ferries. The design is based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer, a joint project between the Dutch and Spanish resulting in the {{sclass|Rotterdam|amphibious transport dock|0}} and {{sclass|Galicia|landing platform dock|0}} amphibious warfare ships. The main difference is that the British ships have no helicopter hangar.Kemp, New UK landing ship takes to the water The ships were originally designated Auxiliary Landing Ship Logistics (ALSL), but this was changed in 2002 to Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (LSD(A)), better reflecting their operational role and bringing them into line with the NATO designation for the Royal Schelde vessels.Scott, The Royal Navy's Future Fleet

The Bay-class ships have a full load displacement of {{convert|16160|t|LT|lk=on}}. They are {{convert|579.4|ft}} long, with a beam of {{convert|86.6|ft}}, and a draught of {{convert|19|ft}}. Propulsion power is provided by two Wärtsilä 8L26 generators, providing {{convert|6000|hp|MW}}, and two Wärtsilä 12V26 generators, providing {{convert|9000|hp|MW}}. These are used to drive two steerable azimuthing thrusters, with a bow thruster supplementing. Maximum speed is {{convert|18|kn|lk=in}}, and the Bay-class ships can achieve a range of {{convert|8000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|15|kn}}. The ships were designed to receive an armament of two Phalanx CIWS, two manual 30 mm DS30B cannon and various small arms, but the exact weapons fit varies within the class.

In British service, the everyday ship's company consisted of 60 to 70 RFA personnel, with this number supplemented by members of the British Armed Forces when the ships are deployed operationally.Kerr, Amphibious Ambitions{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/bay-class-landing-ships/rfa-largs-bay/unit-diary/rfa-largs-bay-haiti-diary |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100406104724/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/bay-class-landing-ships/rfa-largs-bay/unit-diary/rfa-largs-bay-haiti-diary |archive-date=6 April 2010 |date=4 February 2010 |title=RFA Largs Bay Haiti Diary |first=Ian |last=Johnson |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=12 July 2012}} For example, Largs Bay{{'}}s deployment in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake saw her sail with a core crew of 70, plus 40 Royal Logistic Corps personnel for boat- and cargo-handling duties, and 17 from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines for security and related tasks. Australia operates Choules with a permanent crew of 158 including a Ship's Army Department of 22.{{cite web | url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2012/03/19/hmas-choules-passes-first-capability-test-off-north-queensland/ | title=HMAS Choules passes first capability test off North Queensland | date=19 March 2012 | publisher=Australian Department of Defence | access-date=11 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502055306/http://news.defence.gov.au/2012/03/19/hmas-choules-passes-first-capability-test-off-north-queensland/ | archive-date=2 May 2012 | url-status=dead}}

As a sealift ship, each Bay-class vessel is capable of carrying up to 24 Challenger 2 tanks or 150 light trucks in 1,150 linear metres of space, with stern- and side-ramp access to the vehicle deck. The cargo capacity is equivalent of 200 tons of ammunition, or 24 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers. During normal conditions, a Bay-class ship can carry 356 soldiers, but this can be almost doubled to 700 in overload conditions. The flight deck is capable of handling helicopters up to the size of Chinooks, as well as Merlin helicopters and Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. There is no hangar for long-term embarkation of a helicopter, although a temporary shelter can be fitted to house a Merlin or smaller helicopter. The well dock can carry one LCU Mark 10 or two LCVPs, and two Mexeflotes can be suspended from the ship's flanks. Two 30-ton cranes are fitted between the superstructure and the flight deck. Internal passages are wide enough to allow two fully kitted marines to pass each other.

Operational history

File:"Largs Bay L3006" in Portland harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1458486.jpg

In 2006 Mounts Bay took part in Operation Vela, a major amphibious exercise off West Africa.

In mid-April 2007, Cardigan Bay sailed for "Operation Orion 07", a four-month deployment to the Mediterranean.{{citation needed|date=September 2011}} From 2008 until the end of 2010, Cardigan Bay was used to accommodate and train personnel of the Iraqi Navy under the tutelage of Royal Navy and United States Navy personnel. During this time, the ship operated almost exclusively in the Persian Gulf.

In late November 2007, Largs Bay was deployed to the Caribbean for counter-drug operations.Royal Navy, 815 Naval Air Squadron in RFA Largs Bay During the deployment, the ship visited ports across the Caribbean islands and the United States mainland, and intercepted a {{convert|575|kg|adj=on}} cocaine shipment. In late 2008, it was reported that Largs Bay was to replace the frigate {{HMS|Northumberland|F238|2}} for duties in the Falkland Islands. Northumberland was to have left for the Islands in December 2008, but was instead sent for an anti-pirate patrol off Somalia.UPI, Britain withdraws warship from Falklands

On 3 February 2010, Largs Bay headed to Haiti with aid supplies for relief efforts after the earthquake.BBC News, RFA Largs Bay leaves Southampton bound for Haiti On 18 February 2010, she arrived at Port-au-Prince and commenced unloading of the supplies.Daily Express, Royal Navy aid ship reaches Haiti On 30 March 2010, she returned home.Scammel, RFA Largs Bay returns home after earthquake aid mission

In December 2010, it was announced that a Bay-class vessel, later identified as Largs Bay, would be decommissioned in April 2011 as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.Defence News, Changes to Royal Navy's surface fleet announced'Themistocles', The UK SDSR and JP 2048 Phase 4C – A Golden Opportunity On 17 March 2011, the Australian Department of Defence announced that the RAN would be bidding for Largs Bay; this was followed on 6 April by news that a £65 million (A$100 million) bid had been successful.Taylor, Australia to buy amphibious military transport ship, aircraftAustralian Associated Press, Australia to buy used UK landing ship She was commissioned into the RAN on 13 December 2011 as {{HMAS|Choules|L100|6}}, after receiving modifications for service in tropical conditions.Australian Broadcasting Corporation, HMAS Choules commissioned in honour of veteranFlash Traffic: Purchase of Largs Bay, in The Navy A transformer in the propulsion system failed when she was en route to a training area on 14 June 2012, after earlier reports that the ship could not maintain top speed without transformers overheating.{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065969325 |newspaper=Defence Security Report |publisher=IHS Jane's |title=Choules faces six-month lay-off as report points to overheating issue |first=Julian |last= Kerr |date=6 July 2012}} An insulation failure had short-circuited the failed transformer, while others aboard were showing signs of premature wear.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/navy-unclear-why-100m-ship-broke-down-20121017-27r4m.html |title=Navy unclear why $100m ship broke down |last=Australian Associated Press|date=17 October 2012 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=17 October 2012}} With no spares available, the need to order from the manufacturer combined with the decision to replace all of the transformers aboard meant that Choules was kept out of service until April 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/navys-ran-landing-ship-grounded/story-e6frea6u-1226408273094 |title=Missing spare part grounds Navy ship |first=Ian |last=McPhedran |work=AdelaideNOW |publisher=Adelaide Advertiser |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=26 June 2012}}{{cite news |title=In Brief: Work on Choules |date=6 December 2012 |work=Navy News |publisher=Directorate of Defence News |pages=6–7 }}{{cite web|last=West|first=Sarah|title=HMAS Choules returns to sea|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/news/hmas-choules-returns-sea|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|access-date=12 April 2013}}

In June 2011, Cardigan Bay headed to Yemen to aid with the potential evacuation of British citizens affected by the ongoing unrest there.Press Association, Marines on standby to evacuate Britons in Yemen

Ships in the class

File:HMAS Choules starboard bow.jpg in January 2012]]

class="wikitable"
style="background:#efefef;"

! align="center" colspan=6 | {{flagicon image|British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg}} Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Name

! Laid down

! Launched

! In service

! Out of service

! Notes

{{ship|RFA|Largs Bay|L3006}}

| 28 January 2002

| 18 July 2003

| 28 November 2006

| April 2011

| Sold to RAN in April 2011

{{ship|RFA|Lyme Bay|L3007}}

| 22 November 2002

| 3 September 2005

| 26 November 2007

| -

| Active

{{ship|RFA|Mounts Bay|L3008}}

| 25 August 2002

| 9 April 2004

| 13 July 2006

| -

| Active, entering refit January 2025

{{ship|RFA|Cardigan Bay|L3009}}

| 13 October 2003

| 8–9 April 2005

| 18 December 2006

| -

| In refit as of early 2025{{cite tweet |url=https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1888533605472690388?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title=@NavyLookout.@RFACardiganBay is now in dry dock @apgroupukFalmouth for a refit following her 2-year deployment in the Gulf and Mediterranean.|number=1888533605472690388 |user=NavyLookout |date=9 February 2025 |access-date=9 February 2025}}

align="center" colspan=6 | {{navy|AUS}}
Name

! align="center" colspan=2 | Acquired

! In service

! Out of service

! Notes

{{HMAS|Choules|L100}} (ex-Largs Bay)

| align="center" colspan=2 | 6 April 2011

| 13 December 2011

|

| Active as of Apr 2023

See also

Citations

{{reflist}}

References

=Books=

  • {{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009 |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |year=2008 |edition=111th |series=Jane's Fighting Ships |isbn=978-0-7106-2845-9 |oclc=225431774}}

=Journal articles=

  • {{cite journal|last=Brown |first=Nick |date=13 July 2006 |title=UK strips Swan Hunter of LSD(A) role |journal=Jane's Defence Industry |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
  • {{cite journal |date = July 2011|title=Flash Traffic: Purchase of Largs Bay |journal=The Navy |publisher=Navy League of Australia |volume=73 |issue=3 |pages=13}}
  • {{cite journal |last=Kemp |first=Ian |date=25 July 2003 |title=New UK landing ship takes to the water |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
  • {{cite journal|last=Kerr |first=Julian |date=22 December 2011 |title=Amphibious ambitions: expanding Australia's naval expectations |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
  • {{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=4 September 2003 |title=The Royal Navy's Future Fleet – Taking Shape |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
  • {{cite journal|last=Scott |first=Richard |date=3 August 2011 |title=Sweating the asset: versatility is the key to LSD(A) multi-tasking |journal=International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
  • {{cite journal |last='Themistocles' |date = January 2011|title=The UK SDSR and JP 2048 Phase 4C – A Golden Opportunity |journal=The Navy |publisher=Navy League of Australia |volume=73 |issue=1 |pages=2–3}}

=News articles=

  • {{cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Jeremy |title=Last Ship Leaves the Tyne |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2006/07/18/last-ship-leaves-the-tyne-115875-17400800/ |date=18 July 2006 |work=Mirror.co.uk |access-date=15 April 2011}}
  • {{cite news |title=Australia to buy used UK landing ship |work=The Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au) |date=6 April 2011 |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-to-buy-used-uk-landing-ship-20110406-1d3ly.html |author=Australian Associated Press |access-date=7 April 2011}}
  • {{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-13/hmas-choules-to-be-commissioned/3727686 |title=HMAS Choules commissioned in honour of veteran |work=ABC News |date=13 December 2011 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=13 December 2011}}
  • {{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5205152.stm |work=BBC News |title=Unfinished ship arrives on Clyde |date=22 July 2006 |access-date=15 April 2011}}
  • {{cite news |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/8495239.stm |title=RFA Largs Bay leaves Southampton bound for Haiti |date=3 February 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}}
  • {{cite news |work=Daily Express (express.co.uk) |url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/159103/Royal-Navy-aid-ship-reaches-Haiti |title=Royal Navy aid ship reaches Haiti |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}}
  • {{cite news |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/ChangesToRoyalNavysSurfaceFleetAnnounced.htm |title=Changes to Royal Navy's surface fleet announced |work=Defence News |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}}
  • {{cite news |publisher=Royal Navy |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons/815/news/815-naval-air-squadron-in-rfa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809135736/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons/815/news/815-naval-air-squadron-in-rfa |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 August 2009 |title=815 Naval Air Squadron in RFA Largs Bay |work=815 Naval Air Squadron |access-date=16 April 2011 }}
  • {{cite news |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/naval-ship-named-after-wa-war-veteran-claude-choules/story-e6frg4nl-1226114326048 |title=Naval ship named after WA war veteran Claude Choules |last=Moulton |first=Emily |author2=Australian Associated Press |date=13 August 2011 |work=PerthNow |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=14 August 2011}}
  • {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/07/yemen-marines-standby-evacuate-britons |title=Marines on standby to evacuate Britons in Yemen |last=Press Association |date=7 June 2011 |work=The Guardian |access-date=13 September 2011}}
  • {{cite news |first=Ruth |last=Scammell |work=The News (Portsmouth) |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/RFA-Largs-Bay-returns-home.6189517.jp |title=RFA Largs Bay returns home after earthquake aid mission |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}}
  • {{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Rob |date=17 March 2011 |access-date=18 March 2011 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/australia-defence-idUSL3E7EH06L20110317 |title=Australia to buy amphibious military transport ship, aircraft |work=Reuters |archive-date=20 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320074929/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/17/australia-defence-idUSL3E7EH06L20110317 |url-status=live }}
  • {{cite news |publisher=United Press International |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/07/Britain_withdraws_warship_from_Falklands/UPI-66631228707248/ |title=Britain withdraws warship from Falklands |date=7 December 2008 |access-date=18 March 2011}}

External links

{{Commons category|Bay class landing ship dock}}

  • {{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary/Bay-Class-Landing-Ships |title=Bay Class Landing Ships |access-date=2012-10-16 |work=Royal Navy website |publisher=Royal Navy}}
  • [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/bay_class/ Bay Class LSD on Naval Technology]
  • {{cite book|last=National Audit Office|title=Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2007 Volume III: The Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) Project|publisher=The Stationery Office|location=London|year=2007|isbn=978-0-10-295148-6|url=http://www.nao.org.uk/idoc.ashx?docId=af07c2d1-06f1-47ed-9c0b-238ea2fd4286&version=-1|access-date=2008-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204222237/http://www.nao.org.uk/idoc.ashx?docId=af07c2d1-06f1-47ed-9c0b-238ea2fd4286&version=-1|archive-date=4 February 2011|url-status=dead}}

{{Portal bar|Australia|Royal Australian Navy}}

{{Royal Australian Navy}}

{{Bay class landing ship dock}}

{{Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships}}

Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes

Category:Ship classes of the Royal Navy