Article Posted on : - Sep 22, 2010

A refloated HMS Bulwark in Plymouth. Photo: UK MoD

PLYMOUTH, UK (BNS): Royal Navy’s amphibious landing ship ‘HMS Bulwark’ has completed 127 days long refit programme at Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth.

The USD 46.55 million refit programme has added advanced features in ship for helicopter flying and accommodation facilities.

The ship is now equipped with full tactical night-vision capability for the landing craft, aircraft. The flight deck has also got the capacity to operate two heavy-lift Chinook helicopters simultaneously.

According to the Navy, the finishing touches will be done for the extensive accommodation enhancements for the 380 sailors and marines to move themselves and all the ship's equipment back onboard in late October.

The ship has also received additional changes in the machinery and magazine spaces, high voltage propulsion system, advanced communication sensors, IT network capability and defensive weapon upgrades.

"The undocking demonstrates the success of the significant work undertaken so far by my ship's company and the contractors here in Devonport, of which I am justifiably proud," Commander Nick MacDonald-Robinson, HMS Bulwark's Commanding Officer said.

In November 2001, HMS Bulwark was launched as the newest commando assault, command and control ship of the navy.

The assault ship can accommodate two Chinook or two Merlin helicopters at its flight deck. A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft - with another four carried on davits on the ship's sides.

Royal Navy will start the trials of the upgraded equipments by next year.