Third British Tide-class tanker arrives for customisation work

The third of four new support tankers to be delivered to the UK has arrived in Cornwall for customisation and trials before entering service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and being deployed on operations with the Royal Navy.

The arrival of RFA Tidesurge comes just weeks after her sister ship, RFA Tidespring, met up at sea with aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The 39,000-tonne tankers can carry up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,400 cubic metres of fresh water.

The customisation work to prepare RFA Tidesurge and her sister ships for operations is being undertaken over the next four months at A&P Shipyard in Falmouth.

RFA Tidesurge will be fitted with UK-specific armour, self-defence weaponry and communications systems.

RFA Tiderace is undergoing preparations for her capability trials, which are expected to start in April.

The fourth of the Tide-class vessels, RFA Tideforce, is expected to be delivered later this year.