Having earlier held discussions with Defence Secretary Liam Fox on the subject, defence minister Smith announced on 17 March that a formal bid to purchase the ex-RN ship Largs Bay had been made to the UK government.
The UK Bay class are based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design, similar to Dutch HNLMs Rotterdam (L800) and Spanish SPS Galicia (L51) LPDs.
Originally classified as Alternative Landing Ship Logistics (ALSL), they were reclassified as Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) [LSD(A)], as they developed into a form very much more like an LSD, with a large flight deck aft and a docking well in the stern capable of operating a LCU Mk 10.
The large flight deck can accommodate two Merlin or Chinook helicopters.
The military lift includes the capacity to load and transport up to 32 challenger 2 tanks, or 150 light trucks.
They can carry a normal load of 356 troops, or overloaded with 500.
They are designed to operate over the horizon using helicopters and landing craft, to get men and equipment ashore.
General characteristics
• Type: Landing ship dock
• Displacement: 16,160 t full load
• Length: 176 m
• Beam: 26.4 m
• Propulsion: Diesel-Electric propulsion systems with two azimuth thrusters and bow thruster.
• Speed: 18 knots (33 km/h)
• Range: 8,000 nmi (15,000 km)
• Capacity: 1,200 linear metres of vehicles (e.g. 32 challenger 2 tanks or 150 light trucks)
• Troops: 356
• Complement: Approx 60