19 Dec 24. MOD reconfirms potentially ‘up to six’ new assault ships. Lord Richards of Herstmonceux raised questions in the House of Lords about the future of the UK’s amphibious capability following the planned retirement of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark by March 2025. In a recent response to the House of Lords, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) reconfirmed plans for the UK’s Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) programme, which could include up to six new vessels. This assurance comes amidst concerns over the impending retirement of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, the Royal Navy’s dedicated amphibious assault ships, by March 2025. Addressing a question from Lord Richards of Herstmonceux on 19th December, Lord Coaker, Minister of State for Defence, stated: “The Royal Marines will continue to be supported by three Bay Class landing ships and RFA Argus until the introduction of up to six Multi-Role Support Ships. The first of these will enter service 2033.” While the “up to six” figure was originally announced under the previous government, this recent reaffirmation is significant. The MOD’s decision to restate the potential scale of the fleet, rather than relying on vague or non-committal language, provides a small degree of reassurance about the scope of the programme. The MRSS programme, currently in its concept phase, is designed to replace the Bay-class landing ships and RFA Argus, ensuring the continuation of the Royal Navy’s amphibious capabilities. The timeline remains unchanged, with the first ship expected to enter service by 2033. The MOD confirmed that funding for the programme is in place, enabling ongoing preparatory work. The early retirement of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, both held at lower readiness for years, has prompted questions about the interim capability for the Royal Marines. The MOD has made clear that the Bay-class ships and RFA Argus will continue to fulfil operational requirements until the MRSS fleet is introduced. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)