{
  "id": 4195090,
  "title": "Royal Navy turns to amphibious ships; sells HMS Bulwark to Brazilian Navy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/royal-navy-turns-to-amphibious-ships-sells-hms-bulwark-to-brazilian",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-29T13:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MercoPress",
    "slug": "mercopress",
    "url": "https://en.mercopress.com/2026/08/29/royal-navy-turns-to-amphibious-ships-sells-hms-bulwark-to-brazilian-navy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a strategic shift for the Royal Navy, it has decided to sell HMS Bulwark to the Brazilian Navy, marking the end of the ship's nearly two-decade service with the UK military. HMS Bulwark, one of the Royal Navy’s Albion-class amphibious assault ships, was commissioned in 2005 and played a pivotal role in various operations, including amphibious deployments, humanitarian assistance missions, and multinational exercises with allies and partners. Its sister ship, HMS Albion, is currently awaiting disposal at HMNB Devonport.\n\nThe decision to sell the ship comes amid the UK's focus on the future of amphibious assault ships. The UK and the Netherlands have recently confirmed a new £2.4 billion maritime partnership aimed at delivering a fleet of new amphibious transport ships, set to replace the capability provided by the Albion class. These future ships, to be built in UK shipyards in collaboration with Dutch industry, will be capable of transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment, including drones, to any location worldwide. They will feature flight decks designed to operate current and future long-range drones and autonomous systems, reflecting the Royal Navy's transition to a hybrid Navy and the broader Defence Investment Plan's goals.\n\nLord Coaker, Minister of State for Defence, expressed satisfaction over the ship's service to the country and its allies, noting that the Brazilian Navy will carry on HMS Bulwark's legacy. He also highlighted the new partnership with the Netherlands as a significant step forward for the Armed Forces, providing modern, interoperable capabilities for personnel to operate alongside allies for decades to come. This move is also seen as a vote of confidence in British shipbuilding, emphasizing the skills and shipyards that will maintain the nation's industrial base and security.\n\nThe amphibious fleet program will form the backbone of a strengthened UK-Netherlands amphibious force, with each nation set to operate four vessels. This will create a shared and interoperable capability that reinforces NATO's northern and Atlantic flanks, marking a new era in maritime partnerships and defense collaboration between the two countries.",
  "summary": "HMS Bulwark is to be sold to the Brazilian Navy, ending more than two decades of service with the Royal Navy, as UK focus turns to the future of amphibious assault ships.",
  "key_points": [
    "Royal Navy sells HMS Bulwark to Brazilian Navy after 18 years of service.",
    "HMS Bulwark, an Albion-class ship, participated in various operations.",
    "UK and Netherlands announce £2.4 billion maritime partnership for new amphibious ships."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}