Royal Navy Eyes New Littoral Strike Ships To Bolster Amphibious Capabilities

Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced plans to develop a new class of assault ships to support future Royal Marine operations, reports the British Royal Navy.

The littoral strike ships would be able to carry everything from helicopters and fast boats to autonomous underwater vehicles as well as a large number of troops, said a service release on Monday.

The vessels would be designed to operate close to the shore.

The ships would be forward deployed permanently, providing greater flexibility to deal with crises around the world, the release said.

Two ships are planned, reported the News (Portsmouth, U.K.). One would be stationed in the Indo-Pacific region and the other would operate in the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea and Mediterranean.

The defense ministry is currently funding concept development work for the ships, Williamson said.