The Decline of British Amphibious Power: A History of Royal Navy and RFA Landing Ships Since the 1960s
By Mark Allatt, UK Defence First
Since the 1960s, the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) have maintained a vital amphibious capability to project Royal Marines ashore. Yet repeated cycles of investment followed by premature decommissioning, sales at reduced prices, and delayed or diminished replacements have steadily eroded this capacity. From the Falklands conflict to recent announcements, the story reveals a pattern of short-term fiscal decisions undermining long-term strategic strength.
The modern era began with the Fearless-class Landing Platform Docks (LPDs). HMS Fearless (L10), commissioned in 1965, and HMS Intrepid (L11), which followed in 1967, represented the Navy’s first purpose-built amphibious assault ships. Each displaced around 12,000 tons, featured a floodable well dock for four Landing Craft Utility (LCUs), and could carry significant troops, vehicles, and helicopters. They provided robust command facilities for task group operations.
These vessels proved their worth dramatically in the 1982 Falklands War. Despite plans to retire them under the 1981 Nott Review, both deployed as core elements of the amphibious group. Fearless and Intrepid transported and landed elements of 3 Commando Brigade, working alongside the Round Table-class Landing Ships Logistic (LSLs) - six Sir Lancelot-class vessels operated primarily by the RFA for heavy vehicle and stores transport. The LPDs’ well docks enabled efficient transfer of troops and equipment under challenging conditions, while their command suites coordinated the complex San Carlos landings. Their survival and performance helped secure victory and reversed earlier cutbacks, affirming the value of dedicated amphibious assets.
Starting in the 1950s, the Navy operated converted Commando Carriers (LPHs) alongside the LPDs. HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion (earlier Centaur-class carriers) had been adapted in the late 1950s and early 1960s for helicopter-borne assaults, embarking Royal Marines and operating Whirlwind or Wessex helicopters. HMS Hermes later joined this role prior to her refit to operate Sea Harriers. These ships offered significant aviation capacity but lacked the well docks of true LPDs. HMS Illustrious, an Invincible-class carrier, also served in amphibious roles later in her career.
In the 1990s, plans materialised for renewal. The single-purpose HMS Ocean (L12), a Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) commissioned in 1998, provided a dedicated helicopter carrier with capacity for 12 Merlin or Sea King helicopters and up to 800 troops. She offered a more affordable complement to the carriers but was built to commercial standards with a limited 20-year design life.
The Fearless class was replaced in the early 2000s by the larger Albion-class LPDs: HMS Albion (L14, commissioned 2003) and HMS Bulwark (L15, 2004). Displacing over 18,000 tons, these ships featured advanced command systems, electric propulsion, and enhanced well docks. They could carry more troops and vehicles than their predecessors while supporting helicopter operations from a flight deck. Together with Ocean and the new Bay-class auxiliary landing ships, they formed a credible brigade-level amphibious force as outlined in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review.
The Bay class (LSD(A)s), entering service from 2006, replaced the ageing Round Table vessels. Four ships - Largs Bay, Mounts Bay, Cardigan Bay, and Lyme Bay - emphasised logistics with large vehicle decks, cranes, and limited well dock capabilities. However, the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) forced immediate cuts. Largs Bay was sold to the Royal Australian Navy in 2011 for around £65 million (A$100 million), becoming HMAS Choules - a bargain for a near-new vessel originally costing far more. The remaining three continued in RFA service, supporting operations from disaster relief to littoral warfare.
Further erosion followed. HMS Ocean, despite a major refit, was decommissioned prematurely in 2018 after only about 20 years and sold to Brazil for roughly £84 million. Critics noted her commercial build standards and rising maintenance costs, but the sale represented another loss of dedicated LPH capacity with no like-for-like replacement at the time. Illustrious had already been retired earlier.
The Albion class faced similar pressures. Both ships spent periods in extended readiness due to cost-saving measures, limiting availability. In late 2024, the government announced their early decommissioning in 2025 as part of broader cuts, despite original out-of-service dates in the early 2030s. HMS Bulwark was sold to the Brazilian Navy in 2025 for a reported £20 million, to be renamed NDM Oiapoque. Albion faced uncertain disposal, with ongoing maintenance costs. These near-new, highly capable vessels - symbols of post-Falklands investment - were thus offloaded at knockdown prices after limited active service.
Currently, the amphibious fleet rests on the three remaining Bay-class ships. RFA Argus, a 45-year old converted aviation training and casualty reception vessel, was deemed unsafe to sail by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyd's Register, meaning that, at minimum, further work would be required to render the vessel seaworthy. By the end of 2025, it was reported that she would likely be retired from service and she was confirmed for scrapping in February 2026. This force now falls well short of previous ambitions for sustained brigade-level operations.
In response, the Ministry of Defence has announced four new **Amphibious Transport Ships (ATS), each around 15,000 tons, based on Dutch design expertise but to be built in UK yards. These will replace the remaining Bay-class vessels, the two Albion-class, and Argus. Originally, plans called for up to six Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) to maintain or expand capacity. The reduction to four smaller vessels reflects ongoing budget constraints and a shift in Commando Force concepts. While versatile for vehicles, aircraft, insertion craft, and uncrewed systems, they offer less overall lift and command capability than the combined previous force.
This latest chapter fits a familiar pattern. The Royal Navy has repeatedly built or acquired capable amphibious platforms only to see them decommissioned early due to financial pressures, often sold abroad at significant discounts. Replacements arrive later, in smaller numbers, and with reduced capability. From the Fearless class’s Falklands heroics to the sale of Ocean, Largs Bay, Bulwark, and potentially more, the trend risks leaving British forces with insufficient means to project power independently or alongside allies.
The United Kingdom must break this cycle. Amphibious capability remains essential for littoral operations, rapid response, and deterrence. As a bare minimum, delivering the four ATS on time, on budget, and with full warfighting enhancements is critical. Without sustained investment, the Royal Navy’s ability to “go to the crisis” will continue to diminish, to the detriment of national security and global influence.