Yesterday, the British warship HMS Bulwark took a break from her busy training schedule to visit London. Vigilance learnt authoritatively that HMS Bulwark, the UK’s largest and most technologically advanced amphibious assault and command and control ship, will be mooring at Greenwich for 5 days. 

According to an MoD source whilst in London, HMS Bulwark will be playing host to a number of visitors ranging from Senior Naval and Ministry of Defence officials to senior academics (Corbett Centre).  Also visiting the ship will be local sea cadet units and London based charities which the ship supports.

Vigilance’s Strategic Defence Team gathered that the main purpose of the visit however, is to display her breathtaking capabilities.  This exhibition will include how the military, in particular the Royal Navy, can rapidly deploy in times of need, with a wide range of assets and skills.  Demonstrations will include Command and Control aspects, military aid to civil powers, field kitchens, and medical and first-aid techniques.  It will also give the ship the opportunity to show off her hardware.  The ship will be carrying a large variety of boats, land vehicles, amphibious landing craft and helicopters.  The event will culminate in a dynamic demonstration both airborne and afloat on and over the River Thames in Greenwich. 

HMS Bulwark’s Commanding Officer, Captain Alex Burton, said:

“BULWARK is the Country’s very own Swiss Army Knife.  Totally indispensable and phenomenally versatile: she  packs a punch with our Royal Marines and delivers proven essential support to the softer Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operations and Homeland Defence. It is extremely fortunate we have found time in the busy generation programme to demonstrate to the Capital what we can deliver. My team can’t wait to show it off – in these uncertain times we are totally focussed on our commitments to the Country’s interests and responsibilities and expect to be very busy once fully operational later this year.”

The Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Liam Fox added:

"HMS Bulwark is a great asset that, along with HMS Albion provides the UK with impressive amphibious and command and control capability for a range of options. Ships like Bulwark play an important role in projecting UK power abroad and protecting British interests abound the world."

Along with her sister ship HMS ALBION, BULWARK once operational will be part of the UK’s maritime contingent capability known as the Response Force task Group (RFTG).

The task force comprises amphibious shipping, frigate and destroyer escorts, support shipping, and the Lead Commando Group Royal Marines.

Elements of the RFTG are available to be used in a number of different scenarios around the world and are due to be deployed on Operation COUGAR in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

Following her visit to London, HMS Bulwark will continue with her sea training in preparation of taking on her new role of UK Fleet Flagship and High Readiness Assault Ship later this

year.  She will then visit Den Helder, Holland, before returning home to Plymouth for a short upkeep period at the end of March.  

 About HMS BULWARK

• HMS BULWARK is one of the Royal Navy’s two Assault Command and Control ships.
• She was launched in November 2001.
• She has a ship’s company of 380 men and women.
• A quarter of her ship’s company are from 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines (4 ASRM).
• In addition the ship can carry up to 200 marines in dedicated accommodation for long periods and another 500 in austere conditions for short periods. 
• Her flight deck can accommodate two Chinook or two Merlin helicopters.
• A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft – with another four carried on davits on the ship’s side.