At the end of April, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed Brazil’s intention to acquire the amphibious ships HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, which were withdrawn from service a few months ago by the Royal Navy—a decision that drew criticism from various British sectors due to the weakening of naval capabilities in the face of current threats and adversaries.
One of the latest updates regarding the amphibious ships HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, and their possible sale to Brazil, came from Maria Eagle, Minister of State at the UK Ministry of Defence. In a recent parliamentary session, Eagle confirmed that during her visit to Brazil, which took place during the Latin American Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (LAAD), “ I witnessed the signing of a Statement of Intent (SOI) between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the UK Ministry of Defence. This concerned cooperation and assistance in relation to the acquisition of HMS ALBION and HMS BULWARK“
“…This is a significant step in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation with Brazil and enabling discussions about the potential sale of the ships to the Brazilian Navy…” added the UK defence official. Eagle also clarified, “…I cannot provide further information due to commercial confidentiality…”
The retirement of both amphibious ships from the Royal Navy was due to their need for “costly and lengthy overhauls,” which made them financially unfeasible for British taxpayers. Since the news broke, the Brazilian Navy has been one of the main contenders mentioned as a potential buyer for HMS Bulwark. This interest arises in a context where Brazil’s naval force is aiming to expand its amphibious capabilities and modernize its fleet.
With a displacement of 18,500 tons and space to carry between 300 to 400 marines, six tanks, or 30 light armored vehicles, HMS Bulwark would represent a significant boost to the Brazilian Navy’s amphibious capabilities. The ship is also capable of operating helicopters and landing craft—features that add significant value for force projection and humanitarian assistance missions.
HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark entered service in 2003 and 2005, respectively. Despite their relatively short service life, the UK Ministry of Defence proceeded with their retirement due to the high costs of future modernization and upkeep. As previously mentioned, the decision has been heavily criticized domestically due to the loss of capabilities and the likelihood of the ships being sold at a very low price.
Cover image for illustrative purposes. Credits: Crown Copyright – Royal Navy.
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