Brazil to acquire two UK Royal Navy amphibious ships

The Brazilian Navy and the UK Royal Navy have entered into an agreement wherein the Brazilian Navy will acquire the Royal Navy's two Albion-class landing platform docks (LPDs) after these are formally retired from UK service later this year.

HMS Albion (pictured) and HMS Bulwark, the Royal Navy's current amphibious flagships, were originally slated to remain in service until 2033 and 2034, respectively. However, the two ships have been placed in uncrewed reserve status as cost-saving measure by the UK Government.

In UK service, the Albion-class LPDs will be replaced by a new class of vessels called multi-role support ships (MRSS). These will be developed as highly versatile warships able to deploy on a wider variety of operations and designed to carry vehicles, aircraft, insertion craft, and a broad range of uncrewed systems.

The MRSS will be used to support Royal Marines Commando operations. They may also serve as primary casualty receiving ships, providing urgent medical care to British forces wherever they are deployed.