In a controversial decision announced on 20th November 2024, the Defence Secretary confirmed that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, two of the Royal Navy’s (RN) Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), would be decommissioned. The decision has raised significant concern regarding the loss of the UK’s amphibious capabilities, which have traditionally been a cornerstone of its naval power projection. Here’s an in-depth look at the reasoning behind this move and the potential long-term consequences.
Pragmatism or Strategic Oversight?
The decision to retire the LPDs has been justified primarily by manpower shortages and tight budgets. Defence Secretary John Healey described the move as “common sense,” with the Navy struggling to maintain enough personnel to crew these ships. The underlying issue, however, is not just about lack of sailors, but a long-standing personnel retention crisis that has plagued the RN since 2010, which became particularly pronounced post-pandemic in 2022.
The problem is not just the number of sailors, but also the specific skills required for ships like the LPDs, which have relatively low automation compared to more modern vessels. Marine engineers are in especially short supply, and the shortage likely contributed to the decision to retire HMS Bulwark, which had been out of service for an extended period.
A Politically Charged Decision
While the immediate cause of the decommissioning is attributed to personnel and budget constraints, there is a broader political context. The underfunding of defence by successive governments has led to a situation where hard choices are being made about the future of the Royal Navy. Luke Pollard, the MP for Devonport, which hosts much of the RN’s amphibious fleet, has long opposed the scrapping of the LPDs, warning that it would harm both military and civilian jobs in the area. He has also argued that reducing the Navy’s amphibious capability undermines the UK’s ability to project power and protect its interests in a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions.
Despite these concerns, Lord Coaker, Defence Minister in the current Labour government, argued that these ships were “effectively retired” under the previous government, suggesting that the decision was not entirely new but part of a longer-term trend of reducing the RN’s amphibious capabilities.
Economic and Strategic Fallout
One of the major consequences of axing the LPDs is the significant economic impact on the areas that support them. A 2017 report commissioned by Plymouth City Council estimated that over 950 full-time equivalent jobs in the Dockyard were dependent on supporting the two ships, with another 200 jobs in the local supply chain. This equates to a loss of over £60 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) for the region annually. These jobs are not easily replaceable, and the loss of this economic activity would be a blow to Devon and Cornwall.
Furthermore, the Royal Marines, who rely on the LPDs for amphibious operations, face an uncertain future. The Ministry of Defence has claimed that the decommissioning of the ships will not affect the Marines’ operational programme, yet experts argue that this decision could seriously limit their ability to operate effectively on the global stage. The UK’s maritime power projection will be diminished without the amphibious capability that the LPDs provide, and this could have significant implications for NATO commitments, particularly in regions like the Baltic Sea and Norway.
Loss of Amphibious Capability: A Strategic Setback
The real strategic consequences of retiring the LPDs go beyond the immediate operational loss. LPDs are crucial for amphibious warfare, allowing the UK to strike at enemy weak points along coastlines or in littoral zones. Despite the increased vulnerability of amphibious ships, other nations continue to invest heavily in similar capabilities. The UK’s diminishing amphibious capability risks leaving it behind as other nations enhance their littoral strike capabilities.
The LPDs also play a complementary role to the UK’s carrier strike capabilities. Amphibious operations often require the support of air cover, which is provided by the UK’s aircraft carriers. Removing the LPDs from service weakens the carrier strike group’s effectiveness and undermines the UK’s overall naval strategy.
The Future: A Gap in Capability
The UK’s future amphibious capability is tied to the Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) programme, which aims to replace the LPDs. However, this replacement is unlikely to arrive until 2032, creating an 8-10 year gap in the UK’s amphibious capabilities. In the interim, the Royal Navy will be forced to rely on aging auxiliaries with limited capabilities for littoral operations. Additionally, the delivery of MRSS vessels is constrained by budgetary limits, with a total cost likely exceeding £5bn.
The delay in replacing the LPDs and the potential reduction in the number of MRSS ships could leave the Royal Navy under-equipped to respond to global crises, particularly in regions where amphibious operations are critical.
Conclusion: A Costly Mistake?
While the decision to retire the LPDs may have been driven by pragmatic concerns related to personnel shortages and budget cuts, it carries significant long-term strategic and economic consequences. The loss of amphibious capability could undermine the UK’s ability to contribute to NATO operations and reduce its overall naval effectiveness. Additionally, the impact on jobs and local economies in areas like Plymouth cannot be ignored.
Ultimately, the axing of the LPDs highlights the urgent need for the UK to address its defence funding crisis and its personnel retention challenges. Without such reforms, the UK’s ability to maintain a credible and capable military force, both at home and abroad, will be further compromised.
