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Landing Platform Dock Ship closes two decades of Royal Navy
Service.
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Transfer follows UK and Netherlands £2.4 billion amphibious
ship agreement signed in July 2026.
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Agreement advances Royal Navy's transition to a hybrid Navy
with £1.5 billion investment confirmed in the Defence
Investment Plan.
HMS Bulwark, one of the Royal Navy's two Albion-class amphibious
assault ships, was commissioned in 2005 and went on to play a
central role in operations around the world, including amphibious
deployments, humanitarian assistance missions and multinational
exercises with allies and partners.
Her sister ship, HMS Albion, remains alongside at HMNB Devonport
pending disposal.
The transfer comes as the UK and Netherlands confirmed a new £2.4
billion maritime partnership in July 2026 to deliver a fleet of
new amphibious transport ships, replacing the capability provided
by the Albion class.
The future ships will be built in UK shipyards, working alongside
Dutch industry, as part of a programme that is expected to
sustain hundreds of highly skilled UK jobs. At 160 metres in
length and displacing 15,000 tonnes, they will be capable of
transporting troops, vehicles and equipment, including drones,
wherever they are needed.
Minister of State for Defence, said:
HMS Bulwark served this country and our allies with distinction
for over two decades, and I'm pleased that she will continue her
story in Brazilian service, with a nation that has long stood
alongside us as a defence partner.
This partnership with the Netherlands marks a real step forward
for our Armed Forces, giving our personnel the modern,
interoperable capability they need to operate alongside our
allies for decades to come. It's also a vote of confidence in
British shipbuilding, backing the skills and shipyards that will
keep our industrial base strong and our nation secure.
Based at HMNB Devonport, HMS Bulwark served as the Royal Navy's
Fleet Flagship between 2011 and 2015, supported civilian
evacuation operations from Lebanon in 2006, and provided maritime
security for the Sailing Regatta at the London 2012
Olympics.
The flight decks of the future UK-Dutch amphibious fleet are
being designed to operate current and future long-range drones
and autonomous systems, supporting the Royal Navy's transition to
a hybrid Navy and the wider ambitions set out in the Defence
Investment Plan to integrate uncrewed and autonomous technology
across the fleet.
The programme will form the backbone of a strengthened
UK-Netherlands amphibious force, with each nation set to operate
four vessels, delivering a shared and interoperable capability
that reinforces NATO's northern and Atlantic flanks.
