WorldTekhno.com – The British Royal Navy followed in the footsteps of the United States by sending its landing warships to the Mediterranean Sea. Previously, the US Navy sent two of its aircraft carriers to the same location.
This move was declared by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a measure to ensure regional stability and to mobilise aid for the victims of Hamas attacks in Israel.
“The UK’s intention is to support efforts to stabilise regional stability, prevent further escalation and ensure humanitarian assistance to the victims of Hamas attacks,” Sunak was quoted as saying by The Guardian on Tuesday (17/10/2023).
The UK has sent the RFA ship Lyme Bay to support Israel. The ship left Gibraltar on 13 October 2023 and is expected to arrive in Israel on 17 October 2023.
RFA Lyme Bay is one of two Gulf class ships owned by Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The other ship is RFA Mounts Bay.
RFA Lyme Bay was a Gulf class auxiliary landing ship of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Commissioned from Swan Hunter in 2000, the ship was launched in 2005.
Specification
- Length: 254 metres
- Width: 32 metres
- Weight: 10,172 tonnes
- Speed: 18 knots
- Range: 10,000 nautical miles
Armament - 2 x 30 mm guns
- 2 x 20 mm guns
Installation
- Payload capacity: 1,000 troops, 20 armoured combat vehicles or 2,000 tonnes of cargo.
- Dock capacity: 6,000 tonnes
Hangar: 2 x 60 tonnes
Mission
RFA Lyme Bay is used to support Royal Navy amphibious operations. These ships can be used to transport troops, vehicles and equipment to shore.
History
RFA Lyme Bay has been involved in a number of military operations, including:
2003 invasion of Iraq
Operation Juncture Trident 2015
Operation Defender 2021
On 17 October 2023, RFA Lyme Bay was in the Eastern Mediterranean supporting humanitarian operations in the region.
The delivery of the RFA Lyme Bay ship is part of the military support package provided by the UK to Israel. The package also includes a P8 Poseidon aircraft, surveillance assets, three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.
The UK government said this delivery of military support was intended to help Israel deal with Hamas rocket attacks.***
