AS A&P Falmouth eagerly awaits the arrival of the four new Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tide class tankers later this year for military customisation, the Strategic Defence Review has provided for three new logistics ships or solid stores ships (SSS) for the RFA.

These ships will eventually replace the Fort Austin, Fort Rosalie and Fort Victoria which are all long-overdue for replacement.

With one Bay Class amphibious ship permanently in the Gulf on Operation Kipion it seriously impacts on the Royal Navy’s amphibious operations if required elsewhere.

The concepts for the proposed SSS ships allows for an amphibious capability with the ships having a stern ramp access and well dock. The ships will be able to support the new carriers HM ships Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales providing munitions, stores and food.

The Mars (Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability) studies have produced the Tide class ships now being constructed in South Korea. The SSS are part of the Mars evaluation process and are not expected to be on stream until the 2020s.

The four Tide-class tankers, Tidespring, Tiderace, Tidesurge and Tideforce, will enter service with the Royal Navy to boost its capabilities by delivering fuel, water, spare parts and other supplies.

A&P will support the four vessels as they go through their initial capability assessment trials with Tidespring expected here in June.

The other ships will follow Tidespring at intervals. The tankers are planned to enter service from 2016 and A&P Group will provide through-life support to all four ships for a minimum of three years. The working life expectancy of the ships is 25 years.