The proposed amphibious fleet combines eight to twelve smaller Multi-Role Support Ships with two or three modified Trieste-type landing helicopter docks replacing Albion and Bulwark. The larger ships would carry landing craft, stores, personnel, and aviation as the core of the amphibious force. An LHD carrying amphibious helicopters could also refuel and support F-35Bs from a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier without permanently embarking its own fighters. For an independent operation, its air group could include F-35Bs. Its smaller aviation capacity would suit these supporting roles but could not replace Britain's fleet carriers. This is a longer-term proposal, potentially for a later defence review, with little expectation that the 2025 review would reverse the announced ship sales.
Notable Point · 1:51:21-1:55:48
LHDs and distributed ships serve different amphibious jobs
Several smaller Multi-Role Support Ships need large aviation-and-logistics flagships to replace Albion and Bulwark rather than forcing carriers to absorb the amphibious mission.