HMS OCEAN (L12)

The sixth 'HMS ''Ocean'' (L12)' of the Royal Navy is a Landing Platform, Helicopter, the only one in her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force.
She was constructed in the mid 1990s by Kværner (Govan) on the Clyde and fitted out at Barrow-in-Furness prior to first of class trials and subsequent acceptance in service. She was commissioned in September 1998 at her baseport, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon.

Contents

History

Service history

Role

Aviation

Affiliations

References

See also

External links

History

An invitation to tender for a new helicopter carrier was issued in February 1992.^[1] In February 1993 ''The Times'' reported that the carrier faced cancellation due to budgetary constraints.^[2] However on 29 March 1993 the defence procurement minister announced that development of the carrier was proceeding.^[3]
Two shipbuilders competed for the contract - Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (VSEL) and Swan Hunter. On 11 May 1993 the government announced VSEL had won the contract.^[4] The build was to commercial standards, reducing costs significantly and leading to a construction spend of £154 million, comparable to that of a Type 23 frigate. VSEL, a warship manufacturer, sub-contracted the build phase to the commercial Kværner yard in Govan, Glasgow.
The fact that VSEL's bid was £71 million lower than Swan Hunter's was the source of political controversy and lead to a National Audit Office investigation to determine whether the competition was fair. The report, published on 29 July 1993, stated that although VSEL did subsidise its bid the MoD was right to award the contract to VSEL because the subsidy was much smaller than the difference between the two bids; VSEL's bid was £139.5 million compared to Swan Hunter's £210.6 million. ''The Times'' also suggested that the subsidy was as little as £10 million.^[5] In anticipation of the report the ''Financial Times'' described the different philosophies adopted by the two bidders; While Swan Hunter viewed the ships as entirely military, "VSEL thought the design was basically a merchant ship with military hardware bolted on." VSEL's decision to sub-contract the build phase took advantage of lower overheads at a civilan yard as well as efficiency drives by its parent, Kværner.^[6]
Launched on 11 October 1995, she was subsequently named at Barrow by Her Majesty the Queen on 20 February 1998, prior to delivery to Devonport.

Service history

While ''Ocean'' was undertaking the warm water element of her first-of-class trials, she provided humanitarian assistance in Honduras following a hurricane.
During 2002 ''Ocean'' supported Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone, joining HMS Illustrious (R06) aiding the suppression of rebel activity with her own EMF and providing support facilities for the Spearhead battalion ashore.
''Ocean'' was part of a large Royal Navy taskforce deployed for Operation Telic, the UK contribution to the 2003 Iraq War. In the helicopter assault role she was accompanied by HMS ''Ark Royal''.
In 2007, ''Ocean'' will begin her first long upkeep period, this will be carried out by the Devonport Management Limited at their Devonport Royal Dockyard facility and last around 12 months.

Role

''Ocean'' was designed to provide the amphibious assault capabilities last offered by HMS ''Albion'' and ''Bulwark'' whilst in the Commando role. She can deploy an Embarked Military Force (EMF) of a Royal Marines Commando Group from 3 Commando Brigade supported by aviation and landing craft assets. The ships company includes 9 Assault Squadron from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines.
''Ocean'' is also capable of limited Anti-Submarine Warfare activities, supporting afloat training and acting as a base facility for other embarked forces including Counter-terrorism units.

Aviation

The air group of up to 12 Sea King HC-4 medium-lift helicopters, six Lynx AH-7 light-lift/anti-Tank helicopters, and four Mk5 landing craft is provided by the Commando Helicopter Force however she can also support the Westland WAH-64 Apache operated by the Army Air Corps and helicopters of the Royal Air Force including the Chinook.
''Ocean'' can transport up to fifteen fixed wing Harrier aircraft of Joint Force Harrier in the ferry role, however is unable to operate as a fixed wing aircraft carrier.

Affiliations

★ No. 30 Squadron RAF

★ 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps

★ 657 Squadron, Army Air Corps

★ Worshipful Company of Farriers

★ City of Sunderland

References

1. £500 million to be spent on new assault vessels David Fairhill
2. Spending axe falls on £170m carrier Michael Evans
3. MoD revives £170m helicopter carrier plan David White
4. Barrow ship order dismays Tyneside Richard Duce
5. VSEL subsidised Navy ship bid Chris Tighe
6. Strategy to win a sea battle: How a civilian shipyard helped VSEL cut costs and gain a Royal Navy order Daniel Green

See also

★ The Royal Navy in the 21st Century

★ List of amphibious warfare ships of the Royal Navy

External links

★ HMS Ocean at the Royal Navy site

★ HMS Ocean at the naval-technology.com site

★ HMS Ocean at the navynews.co.uk site

★ HMS Ocean, Navy Matters