After the decommissioning and possible sale of the amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark was confirmed by the UK government, various British media outlets have reported criticism of the price set for their potential sale. According to reports, the offer made to the Brazilian government amounts to £20 million, a figure considered low compared to the investments made in these units over the past 14 years.
The ships were decommissioned in 2023 by British Defence Secretary John Healey as part of a cost-cutting plan for the Armed Forces. Defence Minister Maria Eagle justified the decision, arguing that maintenance and future upgrades would require “costly and lengthy refurbishments,” making them financially unviable for British taxpayers, considering that £132.7 million has been spent since 2010. It is estimated that a new refit of HMS Bulwark, planned between 2022 and 2025, would cost around £72.1 million, leading to heavy criticism of the decision to sell both ships for just £20 million.
Meanwhile, Conservative MP Mark Francois, who serves as the “Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces,” told a national publication that the idea of disposing of both ships was described as “militarily illiterate” during a Defence Committee meeting in Parliament a few years ago. He added: “Given how much the Ministry of Defence has spent on their refurbishment in recent years, suddenly selling them off at a bargain price is also ‘financially illiterate.'”
The Brazilian Navy has been mentioned as a potential buyer of HMS Bulwark, as part of its interest in strengthening its amphibious capabilities and modernizing its fleet. With a displacement of 18,500 tons, the ability to transport up to 305 marines (expandable to 405 in special configurations), and the capacity to operate heavy helicopters and landing craft, these units offer versatile platforms for both force projection and humanitarian assistance and evacuations.
Brazil’s acquisition of British ships is not an isolated event. In 2018, the Brazilian Navy incorporated the NAM Atlântico (A140), the former HMS Ocean, which served in the Royal Navy from 1998 to 2018. Additionally, the Brazilian fleet includes Type 22-class frigates, also of British origin, reflecting a long-standing naval cooperation between the two countries.
Despite the growing debate in the UK, the British Ministry of Defence clarified that no final decision has yet been made regarding the fate of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, as well as other retired units. The options under consideration include sale, scrapping, or potential reactivation, with the goal of ensuring financially sustainable decisions for the Royal Navy.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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