BAY CLASS LANDING SHIPS LOGISTIC (AUXILIARY)

The new ships displace 16,100 tonnes and replace RFAs Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram. Two ships were ordered in November 2000 and contracts for two further ships of this class were placed in November 2001. Compared to their predecessors they carry more than twice as many vehicles and embarked troops. Using their stern dock for landing craft and flight deck for helicopters, they are able to offload in rougher weather twice as quickly.

The design is based on the Dutch LPD Rotterdam and Bay Class vessels are designed to transport troops, vehicles, ammunition and stores as a follow-up to an amphibious assault. Offload is carried out by a flight deck capable of operating heavy helicopters, an amphibious dock capable of operating one LCU and mexeflotes which can be hung on the ship's sides. There is no beaching capability.

The flight deck can accommodate two Merlin or Chinook helicopters, and a hanger could be fitted in future if required. The ships can carry an Embarked Military Force of 356 troops and large numbers of vehicles, although this can be increased to 500 using undesignated space.

In April 2011, the Royal Australian Navy bought RFA Largs Bay for £65m. Largs Bay was removed from the service of the UK Navy, as a result of the UK Government's 2010 Strategic Defence Review.