Editing Albion-class landing platform dock

{{short description|Type of amphibious warfare ship in service with the Royal Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = HMS Bulwark.jpg
| Ship caption = HMS ''Bulwark'', an ''Albion''-class landing platform dock
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = ''Albion'' class
| Builders = [[BAE Systems Marine]]
| Operators = 
*{{navy|United Kingdom}}
*{{naval|Brazil}} (planned)
| Class before = {{sclass|Fearless|landing platform dock|4}}
| Class after = [[Multi-role support ship (United Kingdom)|Multi Role Support Ship]] (planned)|Subclasses
| Cost = {{ShipCost|GBR|225|m|quantity=1}}
| In commission range = 2003–2025 (with RN)
| Built range = 2
| In service range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 
| Total ships completed = 
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 2 (both in reserve, planned to be transferred to Brazil)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brazil-to-buy-both-british-albion-class-assault-ships/ |title=Brazil to buy both British Albion class assault ships |website=UK Defence Journal |last=Allison |first=George |date=April 3, 2025}}</ref>
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = [[Amphibious transport dock|Landing platform dock]]
| Ship displacement = {{convert|19,560|t|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{convert|176|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|28.9|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{convert|7.1|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power =
 *2 × [[Wärtsilä]] Vasa 16V 32E diesel generators
 *2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 4R 32E diesel generators
| Ship propulsion =
*GE power conversion full electric propulsion system, 2 × motors and drives
*[[Bow thruster]]
| Ship speed = {{convert|18|kn|mph km/h}}
| Ship range = {{convert|8000|mi|nmi km}}
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship boats =
*4 × LCU MK10
*4 × LCVP MK5
| Ship capacity = 67 vehicles
| Ship troops = 405 [[Royal Marines]] (710 overload)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/navy/albion_class.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523162112/http://www.military-today.com/navy/albion_class.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=23 May 2007 |title=Albion class landing platform dock |website=Military-Today.com |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://navy-matters.beedall.com/albion.htm |title=Albion class |last=Beedall |first=Richard |date=19 December 2004 |website=Navy Matters |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102083033/http://navy-matters.beedall.com/albion.htm |archive-date=2 January 2013}}</ref>
| Ship complement = 325
| Ship sensors = * 2 × Type 1007/8 I-band radars
* 1 × Type 996 E/F band radar
* 1 × [[Type 997 Artisan 3D|Type 997]] E/F-band radar (from 2011)
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament =
 * 2 × 20mm [[Phalanx CIWS]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
*2 × 20mm GAM-BO1 cannon<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 *4 × [[FN MAG|General purpose machine gun]]s
| Ship armour = 
| Ship notes = 
| Total ships in extended readiness = 1
| Ship aircraft facilities = Two landing spots for helicopters up-to the size of a [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook]].
}}
|}

The '''''Albion''-class landing platform dock''' is a class of [[amphibious warfare ship]] originally built for the [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/assault-ships/hms-albion |title=HMS ''Albion'' (L14) |website=Royal Navy |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> The [[ship class|class]] consists of two vessels, {{HMS|Albion|L14|6}} and {{HMS|Bulwark|L15|6}}, ordered in 1996 to replace the ageing {{sclass|Fearless|landing platform dock|4}}.  Both ships were built by [[BAE Systems Marine]] at the former [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering]] yard in [[Barrow-in-Furness]]. ''Albion'' was commissioned in 2003 and ''Bulwark'' in 2005.  Each of the ships has a crew of 325 and can accommodate up to 405 troops. Thirty-one large trucks and thirty-six smaller vehicles and [[main battle tank]]s can be carried inside the vehicle deck. To disembark troops and vehicles, the vessels are equipped with eight [[landing craft]]. As of 2024, both vessels were in reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-bulwark-unlikely-to-return-to-sea-unless-needed/ |title=HMS Bulwark unlikely to return to sea ‘unless needed’ |website=Navy Lookout |last=Allison |first=George |date=19 March 2024}}</ref> In November 2024, the newly elected Labour government indicated that the ships would be removed from service by March 2025.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k0292v0w1o |title=UK to decommission ships, drones and helicopters to save £500m |website=BBC |last=Vock |first=Ido |date=20 November 2024}}</ref> In April 2025 it was indicated that both ships would be sold to the [[Brazilian Navy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navaltoday.com/2025/04/07/uk-to-sell-two-albion-class-amphibious-ships-to-brazil/ |title=UK to sell two Albion-class amphibious ships to Brazil |website=Naval Today |last= Bahtić |first=Fatima|date=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

==Development==
The value of the two {{sclass|Fearless|landing platform dock|1}}s was highlighted during the [[Falklands War]].  Not only did the ships transport troops and vehicles to the South Atlantic, the commanders of the [[Battle of San Carlos (1982)|landing operations at San Carlos]] were aboard {{HMS|Fearless|L10|6}}, and once they arrived their flight decks were used to support airborne operations by helicopters and [[Sea Harrier]] jets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/FalklandsCommandShipToBeRecycled.htm |title=Falklands command ship to be recycled |date=2 October 2007 |website=Defence News |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015055348/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/FalklandsCommandShipToBeRecycled.htm |archive-date=15 October 2007}}</ref>

As these ships were built in the 1960s, on 18 July 1996 the British [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] awarded a £450 million contract for their replacements to [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd]] (VSEL) in [[Barrow-in-Furness]].<ref name=naval>{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/lpd/ |title=LPD (R) Albion Class Landing Platform Dock, United Kingdom |website=Naval Technology |access-date=6 January 2012}}</ref>

The ships' roles are "to act as the afloat command platform for the Royal Navy's Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force Commanders when embarked" and "to embark, transport, deploy and recover troops with their equipment and vehicles which form part of an amphibious assault force".<ref name=albion/> They are larger and more capable than the ''Fearless'' class, and formed part of a modernization programme of the British amphibious fleet, which included the helicopter carrier {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}} (until 2018), the {{sclass2|Bay|landing ship|1}}s of the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] and the {{sclass2|Point|sealift ship|1}}s.{{sfnp|Bishop|Chant|2004|p=225}}

===Extended readiness===
To cut the running costs of the Royal Navy, the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010|2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review]] concluded that one of its two ''Albion''-class LPDs should be placed into extended readiness, or uncrewed reserve, while the other is held at high readiness for operations. The vessels were to alternate between extended readiness and high readiness throughout their service lives.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Written Answers to Questions: HMS ''Albion'' |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110511/text/110511w0001.htm |house=House of Commons |date=11 May 2011 |column=1207W |speaker=[[Nick Harvey]] |position=[[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]]}}</ref>

It was confirmed that ''Albion'' would be the first of the two vessels to be placed at extended readiness, for a cost of £2.5 million, as ''Bulwark'' had recently finished a major refit. Running costs while in extended readiness are estimated to be £300,000 per annum to keep the vessel available for reactivation at short notice. HMS ''Albion'' re-entered high readiness when HMS ''Bulwark'' was put into extended readiness. In 2014 Albion entered a regeneration refit and rejoined the active fleet in 2016. The running costs of one of the ''Albion''-class vessels at high readiness ranged from £17.7 million to £38.6 million per annum from 2007 to 2011. As of late 2018 ''Albion'' was in active service while ''Bulwark'' was held at extended readiness.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_191634.pdf |title=Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review |date=October 2010 |author=HM Government |publisher=[[The Stationery Office]] |isbn=978-0-10179-482-4 |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222022127/http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/%40dg/%40en/documents/digitalasset/dg_191634.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2010}}</ref> 

In 2024, it was reported that, due to manning problems in the Royal Navy and despite the pending completion of a major refit of HMS ''Bulwark'', both vessels were now expected to remain in reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-bulwark-unlikely-to-return-to-sea-unless-needed/ |title=HMS Bulwark unlikely to return to sea ‘unless needed’ |website=Navy Lookout |last=Allison |first=George |date=19 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forces.net/services/navy/royal-navy-workhorse-hms-albion-comes-home-plymouth-possibly-final-time |title=Royal Navy workhorse HMS Albion comes home to Plymouth for possibly the final time |website=Forces Net |date=28 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-lpd-capability-gapped-as-hms-albion-bows-out-before-hms-bulwark-is-available/ |title=Royal Navy LPD capability gapped as HMS Albion bows out before HMS Bulwark is available |website=Navy Lookout |date=2 August 2023}}</ref> In May 2024, the Navy indicated that it intended to retain both ships until 2033/34 when they would be replaced by the future [[Multi-role support ship (United Kingdom)|Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2024/may/14/20240514-six-new-amphibious-warships-to-be-built-for-royal-marines-operations |title=Six new amphibious warships to be built for Royal Marines operations |website=Royal Navy |date=14 May 2024}}</ref> However, in November 2024, the recently elected Labour government indicated that they would in fact be retired early in order to save money.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k0292v0w1o |title=UK to decommission ships, drones and helicopters to save £500m |website=BBC |last=Vock |first=Ido |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
The ''Albion''-class LPDs have a length of {{convert|176|m}}, a breadth of {{convert|28.9|m|ftin}}, and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|7.1|m|ftin}}. They have a normal [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] of {{convert|14,000|t}}, {{convert|19,560|t}} at full load and {{convert|21,000|t}} when the dock is flooded.{{sfnp|Bishop|Chant|2004|p=225}}<ref name=sizes/> The ships have a crew of 325 and can accommodate up to 405 troops, including their vehicles and combat supplies, in overload conditions.<ref name=bulwark>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/assault-ships/hms-bulwark |title=HMS ''Bulwark'' (L15) |website=Royal Navy |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> The GE Electric Propulsion System is powered by two Wärtsilä Vasa 16V 32E diesel generators generating at 6.6kV which drive two electric motors, two shafts, and a [[bow thruster]] as well as providing all the services power on the vessel.<ref name=sizes/> The first diesel electric propulsion system to be used in a Royal Navy surface ship was in the 1960s built ''Hecla''-class ocean survey ships. This is the first in a major surface combatant vessel. It reduces the engine room crew by about 66 per cent compared with the preceding ''Fearless'' class of ships.{{sfnp|Bishop|Chant|2004|p=225}} The diesel electric system can propel the ships to a maximum speed of 18 knots and have a range of {{convert|8,000|mi}}.<ref name=sizes>{{cite web |url=http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/SurfaceShips/PlatformsandProgrammes/AmphibiousVessels/index.htm |title=Maritime Naval Ships |website=BAE Systems |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305235045/http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/SurfaceShips/PlatformsandProgrammes/AmphibiousVessels/index.htm |archive-date=5 March 2011}}</ref>

The aft flight deck has two landing spots for aircraft the size of a [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook]], although it has no hangar or aircraft storage facility. Below the flight deck are the dock and vehicle deck.<ref name=sizes/> The latter has the capacity to hold thirty-one large trucks and thirty-six smaller vehicles<ref name=albion>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/assault-ships/albion-class/hms-albion/index.htm |title=HMS ''Albion'' |website=Royal Navy |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904062424/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/assault-ships/albion-class/hms-albion/index.htm |archive-date=4 September 2011}}</ref> or six [[Challenger 2]] tanks and thirty [[armoured personnel carrier]]s.{{sfnp|Bishop|Chant|2004|p=225}} The dock can hold four [[Landing craft of the Royal Marines#Landing craft|Landing Craft Utility MK10]], each large enough to carry vehicles up to [[main battle tank]] size, which are then launched by flooding of the dock area. Four smaller [[Landing craft of the Royal Marines#Landing craft|LCVP MK5]] that can carry thirty-five men or two light trucks are carried on [[davit]]s, two each side of the ship's superstructure.<ref name=sizes/> Each ship also carries a fifty-two [[Long ton|ton]] tracked [[Hippo BRV|beach recovery vehicle]] for assisting with landing craft recovery, as well as two tractors: one that can lay a track-way across a landing beach, and the second fitted with an excavating bucket and forks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/assault-ships/albion-class/hms-bulwark/4-assault-squadron/main-equipment/index.htm |title=HMS ''Bulwark'': Main Equipment |website=Royal Navy |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707134356/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/assault-ships/albion-class/hms-bulwark/4-assault-squadron/main-equipment/index.htm |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>

===Weapons and sensors===
For defence against missile attack, the ''Albion''-class LPDs were fitted with two 30&nbsp;mm [[Goalkeeper CIWS]]s mounted fore and aft on the superstructure and two [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20&nbsp;mm cannon]] located on the forward superstructure. Defensive countermeasures include the Outfit DLJ decoys, eight [[Seagnat]] radar reflection / infra-red emitting decoy launchers and a [[BAE Systems]] DLH off-board decoy.<ref name=sizes/> In 2017, ''Albion'' had her Goalkeeper mounts removed and replaced by a pair of 20mm [[Phalanx CIWS|Phalanx]] mounts as part of her refit prior to returning to active service; ''Bulwark'' will have her Goalkeeper mounts removed upon her entry into Extended Readiness.

When commissioned, the ships were fitted with two [[Kelvin Hughes]] Type 1007/8 I-band radars, for navigation and aircraft control. For air and surface search, a [[SELEX Galileo|Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems]] Radar Type 996 E/F band radar was fitted. From 2013 on, RT996 will be gradually replaced by the BAE Systems Maritime Services  Artisan 3D E/F-band (designated RT997). {{HMS|Iron Duke|F234|6}} was the first Royal Navy ship so fitted; RT997 will be fitted to ''Albion'' and ''Bulwark'' by 2015.<ref name=sizes/> There is also an ADAWS 2000 combat data system and a UAT/1-4 [[Electronic support measures]] (ESM) system.{{sfnp|Bishop|Chant|2004|p=225}}

==Decommission and sale to Brazil==
The decommission of the ships by the RN was planned for March 2025.<ref name=":1"/> On 20 December 2024, was reported that the [[Brazilian Navy]] is in negotiation with RN to buy HMS ''Bulwark''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brazil-begins-negotiations-to-acquire-hms-bulwark/ |title=Brazil reportedly begins negotiations to acquire HMS Bulwark |website=UK Defence Journal |last=Allison |first=George |date=20 December 2024}}</ref> On 26 January 2025, the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' reported the sale for Brazil of the two boats of the class, ''Albion'' and ''Bulwark'', in a negociation of £20 million ([[Brazilian real|R$]]145 million).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governo britânico é acusado de vender dois navios da Royal Navy ao Brasil por apenas £20 Milhões|url=https://www.naval.com.br/blog/2025/01/30/governo-britanico-e-acusado-de-vender-dois-navios-da-royal-navy-ao-brasil-por-apenas-20-milhoes/ |website=Poder Naval |date=January 30, 2025 |language=pt}}</ref> On 4 February 2025, the Brazilian Navy confirmed the negociations to the newspaper ''[[O Globo]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Negociação de R$ 145 milhões entre Brasil e Reino Unido por navios de guerra vira polêmica no parlamento britânico|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2025/02/04/negociacao-de-r-145-milhoes-entre-brasil-e-reino-unido-por-navios-de-guerra-vira-polemica-no-parlamento-britanico.ghtml |website=O Globo |date=February 4, 2025 |language=pt}}</ref>

On 2 April 2025, the Brazilian and British MoDs signed a [[letter of intent]] to launch the basis of formal negotiations, including detailed technical assessments and discussions on the financial and logistical terms, aiming at the incorporation of the units into the Brazilian Navy's fleet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LAAD 2025: Marinha do Brasil assina Carta de Intenções visando a transferência dos navios de desembarque doca da Classe Albion|url=https://www.naval.com.br/blog/2025/04/02/laad-2025-marinha-do-brasil-assina-carta-de-intencoes-visando-a-transferencia-dos-navios-de-desembarque-doca-da-classe-albion/ |website=Poder Naval |date=2 April 2025 |language=pt}}</ref><ref name="BR">{{Cite web |title=Marinhas do Brasil e do Reino Unido firmam acordo para aquisição de navios|url=https://www.agencia.marinha.mil.br/ciencia-e-tecnologia/marinhas-do-brasil-e-do-reino-unido-firmam-acordo-para-aquisicao-de-navios |website=Marinha do Brasil |date=2 April 2025 |language=pt}}</ref> On 4 April, the UK MoD confirmed the negociations for the transfer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK MoD confirms talks to sell Albion-class warships to Brazil|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/uk-mod-confirms-talks-to-sell-albion-class-warships-to-brazil/ |website=Naval Technology |date=4 April 2025}}</ref> On 30 April, the UK's Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry and [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] MP [[Maria Eagle]], confirmed the intention to sell the two ships to Brazil, in an answer to MP [[Ben Obese-Jecty]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brazil: HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-04-17/46208 |website=House of Commons |date=30 April 2025}}</ref>

==Ships – disposal and current state==
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|- valign=top
!  | Pennant
!  | Name
!  | Commissioned by RN
!  | Decommissioned by RN
!  | Sale contract signed
!  | Re-commissioned new owner
!  | Status
|-
|- valign=top
|  | L14
|  | {{HMS|Albion|L14|2}}
|  | 19 June 2003
|  | March 2025<ref name=":1"/>
|  | 
|  | 
|  | In reserve,<ref name=":1"/> planned to be transferred to Brazil.<ref name="BR"/>
|- valign=top
|  | L15
|  | {{HMS|Bulwark|L15|2}}
|  | 10 December 2004
|  | March 2025<ref name=":1"/>
|  | 
|  | 
|  | In reserve,<ref name=":1"/> planned to be transferred to Brazil.<ref name="BR"/>
|- 
|}

===HMS ''Albion''===
{{main|HMS  Albion (L14)}}

HMS ''Albion'' was launched at Barrow-in-Furness on 9 March 2001.<ref name=albion/> After completing sea trials, ''Albion'' was commissioned in June 2003 and became fully operational in April 2004. Her home port is [[HMNB Devonport]] on the south coast of England.<ref name=naval/>

In December 2010, it was announced that ''Albion'' would be the next Royal Navy flagship after {{HMS|Ark Royal|R07|6}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11911535 |title=Plymouth-based HMS ''Albion'' becomes Royal Navy flagship |date=3 December 2010 |website=BBC News |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> She was deployed with the [[Response Force Task Group]] to the [[Gulf of Sidra]] off Libya to assist the ongoing [[2011 military intervention in Libya|NATO-led operation]], and then moved into the Indian Ocean in June 2011 to assist with anti-piracy operations off the [[Horn of Africa]]. In 2011 she entered a state of "extended readiness".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/17/royal-navy-defence-cuts-waste |title=Mothballing ships makes little sense |first=Julian |last=Glover |date=18 July 2011 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> In July 2017, she re-entered active service after a long re-fit.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/july/18/170718-albion-sails-through-trials |title=''Albion'' sails through trials after £90m revamp |date=18 July 2017 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> While remaining temporarily deployable if required, in July 2023 she entered reduced readiness (skeleton crew aboard for ship maintenance).<ref name="forces.net">{{cite web |url=https://www.forces.net/services/navy/royal-navy-workhorse-hms-albion-comes-home-plymouth-possibly-final-time |title=Royal Navy workhorse HMS Albion comes home to Plymouth for possibly the final time |website=Forces Net |date=28 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="navylookout.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-lpd-capability-gapped-as-hms-albion-bows-out-before-hms-bulwark-is-available/ |title=Royal Navy LPD capability gapped as HMS Albion bows out before HMS Bulwark is available |website=Navy Lookout |date=2 August 2023}}</ref> By early 2024, she was reported to have transitioned to "extended readiness" (uncrewed reserve).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-confirm-assault-ships-not-to-be-scrapped-or-mothballed/ |title=MOD confirm assault ships not to be ‘scrapped or mothballed’ |website=UK Defence Journal |last=West |first=Lisa |date=27 February 2024}}</ref>

===HMS ''Bulwark''===
{{main|HMS Bulwark (L15)}}

HMS ''Bulwark'', the second in the class, was launched at Barrow-in-Furness in November 2001, and was commissioned in December 2004.<ref name=naval/>

One of ''Bulwark''{{'}}s first missions was Operation Highbrow in the Mediterranean in July 2006. Docking in Beirut, the ship evacuated around 1,300 United Kingdom nationals. In May 2010, she entered dry-dock at HMNB Devonport for a £30 million refit.<ref name=naval/> In October 2011, ''Bulwark'', having just completed an eight-month refit, became the flagship of the fleet.<ref name=naval/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bulwark-takes-over-as-uk-flagship |title=''Bulwark'' takes over as UK flagship |author=Ministry of Defence |date=18 October 2011 |website=Gov.uk |access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref> The refit improved her machinery and magazines, converted her to full night-vision tactical ability for landing craft and aircraft, and gave her the ability to operate two Chinook helicopters from the flight deck at the same time.<ref name=naval/> She returned to reserve in 2016 and was expected to complete a lengthy refit in 2024 but nevertheless remain in uncrewed reserve,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-bulwark-unlikely-to-return-to-sea-unless-needed/ |title=HMS Bulwark unlikely to return to sea ‘unless needed’ |website=Navy Lookout |last=Allison |first=George |date=19 March 2024}}</ref> though with an ability to deploy "if required".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-confirm-assault-ships-not-to-be-scrapped-or-mothballed/ |title=MOD confirm assault ships not to be ‘scrapped or mothballed’ |website=UK Defence Journal |last=West |first=Lisa |date=27 February 2024}}</ref> Despite this recent refit (which had already cost £72.1 million),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2024-11-27.16458.h |website=They work for you |title=HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark: Repairs and Maintenance |date=5 December 2024}}</ref> in November 2024 it was indicated that HMS ''Bulwark'', along with her sister ship, would in fact be taken out of service completely.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k0292v0w1o |title=UK to decommission ships, drones and helicopters to save £500m |website=BBC |last=Vock |first=Ido |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[Amphibious warfare ship]]
* [[List of active Royal Marines military watercraft]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Bishop |first1=Chris |last2=Chant |first2=Christopher |title=Aircraft Carriers: The World's Greatest Naval Vessels and Their Aircraft |year=2004 |publisher=Motorbooks International |isbn=978-0-7603-2005-1}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/assault/landing-platform-dock |title=Landing Platform Dock |website=Royal Navy}}

{{Albion_class_landing_platform dock}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albion Class Landing Platform Dock}}
[[Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the United Kingdom|Active amphibious warfare vessels of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Albion-class landing platform docks| ]]
[[Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the Royal Navy]]