LONDON, April 3 (Xinhua) — The first of four Royal Navy support ships, each the length of three jumbo jets has arrived at a port in Cornwall, the ministry of defense (MOD) announced Monday.
The 39,000-tonne tanker, RFA Tidespring, which can carry up to 19,000 cubic meters of fuel and 1,300 cubic meters of fresh water, will join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a civilian-manned fleet which provides support for British warships, helping the Royal Navy to maintain its operations around the world.
It is expected to enter service before the end of the year.
The new Tide Class tankers will provide key support to the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers when they come into service, alongside the wider fleet.
Systems to be installed include communications equipment, self-defense weapons and armour needed to allow the ship to operate in the most challenging environments.
The new support and supply ships have flight decks able to accommodate large Chinook helicopters.
