The four ships which form the core of the Royal Navy’s amphibious fleet are helicopter carriers HMS Illustrious and Ocean and assault ships HMS Albion and Bulwark – the latter is also Britain’s flagship. With the exception of Portsmouth-based Illustrious, the amphibious force – which deploys as part of the UK’s Response Force Task Group – is concentrated in Devonport, close to many of the Royal Marines’ assault and raiding units, and the commandos’ training centre in Lympstone.
-
Current Location
Atlantic, Caribbean & USA
10:54 GMT - 23 May 2013
Atlantic, Caribbean & USA
Follow the story
Assault Ships
Vessels in Action
HMS Bulwark
HMS Bulwark is the Flagship of the Royal Navy and the nation. She led the Navy's key deployment, Cougar 2012, to the Mediterranean and returned to British shores at the end of November 2012. Summer 2012 saw her as one of the 'guardians of the Games', stationed off Weymouth ensuring the Olympic sailing events are safe for all.
-
HMS Bulwark
HMS Bulwark is the Flagship of the Royal Navy and the nation. She led the Navy's key deployment, Cougar 2012, to the Mediterranean and returned to British shores at the end of November 2012. Summer 2012 saw her as one of the 'guardians of the Games', stationed off Weymouth ensuring the Olympic sailing events are safe for all.
-
HMS Albion
HMS Albion, along with her sister ship HMS Bulwark, is one of the Navy’s two amphibious assault ships with a single aim: to deliver the punch of the Royal Marines ashore by air and by sea. We do that using landing craft from our cavernous loading dock – the ship can flood her stern to allow the boats in and out – and helicopters from our vast flight deck.
-
HMS Illustrious
HMS Illustrious is the UK’s High Readiness Helicopter and Commando Carrier. This means that Illustrious can fulfil multiple taskings as demanded by higher authority. Duties could include the use of helicopters such as Merlin, Sea King, Lynx or Apache and Royal Marines Commandos.
-
HMS Ocean
'Britain’s biggest warship', HMS Ocean is currently in her home port of Devonport and in the midst of a scheduled period of maintenance. She returned in the latter part of last year from Greenwich, London, where she was moored for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
-
1 Assault Group
1 Assault Group Royal Marines is the lead for Amphibious Warfare and Royal Navy Board & Search Training. The Group is tasked with training and developing core amphibious and surface assault skills and equipment, including the provision of Operational Support for the Ministry of Defence. 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM) is located within HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth.
-
-
LATEST NEWS
TOP STORIES
Bulwark honours Battle of the Atlantic veterans
23 May 2013HMS Bulwark arrives in Liverpool today to join a host...
A tribute to the Nations naval aviation heritage
22 May 2013TV adventurer, travel writer and actor Charley Boorman, pictured right,...
Ships Score With FA Cup
14 May 2013Sailors in London for the Battle of the Atlantic commemorations...
