LPD HMS Albion

“With Albion, we have the most fantastic ship. It is a complete step change from the old Fearless and Intrepid. In terms of network naval capability, the operations room has a fantastic capacity, a huge intelligence section, an ISR. I do not know if your committee has visited it but it really is impressive. Yes, we have got a few problems there (with these other things that have been procured), but in terms of value for money at the end of the day we have got an amazing piece of kit there. It is a super lot of kit and I am delighted we have got it.”(Source: First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West KCB DSC, at House of Commons Defence Committee, 24th March 2004).


“It’s much better than we could possibly have expected. First of Class, with a lot of new equipment, she performed exceptionally well. No major issues, design or engineering states have emerged. So we’ve got a ship which is robust, we can operate it, and we know it’s reliable, which this early in the trials programme is unheard of”. (Source: Captain Peter Hudson, interviewed by Neil Smith, BBC Radio Cumbria, 2003).

The government claims that the 18,500 tonne warship (HMS Albion) built in Barrow-in-Furness, will take the capability of the Royal Navy to a new level, thanks to a combination of innovative design and state-of-the-art computing power.

After touring the ship, Lord Bach (Defence Procurement Minister for the UK) said: “HMS Albion is a ship tailor-made for today’s Navy. She represents a huge step forward in the modernization of amphibious operations and will be a pivotal element of UK expeditionary warfare capability for the next thirty years. She will not only be able to put ashore large numbers of troops, vehicles and supporting equipment where they are needed most, but will also provide a floating command and control centre, from where major operations can be planned and executed.” (Source: www.sourceuk.net/articles/a03582.html )

Recent Barrow Built large warships - HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.

The Landing Platform Dock ‘Albion’, built at Barrow, was the first warship in the Royal Navy to have fully integrated electric propulsion. The benefits have been enormous, from a 30% reduction in through-life costs to improved low speed performance, improved access and faster offloading.


AO’s Wave Knight and Wave Ruler

“BAE SYSTEMS support during the warranty period has been exemplary. This has been the best supported ship I have stood by and the company deserves a lot of credit”.(Source: Captain Ian Doulan Phillips – Wave Rulers’ Chief Engineering Officer, October 2003).

“RFA Wave Knight and Wave Ruler are already fulfilling their potential, becoming key assets in operations and exercises alike”.

“The ship has accomplished things no other RFA vessel could achieve; she is a job to command and is providing herself well capable of everything she was designed for”. (Source: Captain Alan Roach, Commanding Officer, Wave Knight in BAE, January 2004).

LPH HMS Ocean

“HMS Ocean has proved her worth since commissioning in Sierra Leone, The Caribbean, Afghanistan and Iraq”.

Performance News:

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