Amphibious landing ship HMS Bulwark left dry dock

22.09.2010 Amphibious landing ship HMS Bulwark was withdrawn from dry dock on Sept 21 and transferred to interior basin of Devonport Royal Dockyard. HMS Bulwark left the dock one day later than scheduled date due to bad weather conditions. Thus, repair and modernization of the ship reached the final stage, reported official website of the Royal Navy.

Totally, the ship has spent 127 days in 8th dry dock; the hull was covered with antifouling agents. Alongside with that, upgrade of shipborne tactical information system, increase of defensive arms load, and refitting of living compartments were carried out. In addition, the flight deck was strengthened and became capable to accommodate two Chinook class heavy helicopters at once. All amphibian vehicles were also modernized with night vision equipment.

Presumably, the ship's crew will arrive late Oct to finalize repairs till the end of the current year and start sea trials in 2011.

HMS Bulwark is the second amphibious ship in Albion project. Displacement is 18,500 tons (in dock mode is about 21,500 tons), length is 176 meters, waterline beam is 25.6 meters, draft is 7.1 meters; diesel electric propulsion plant; fuel range at 18 knots is about 7,000 miles; crew is 325; troop capacity is 305 totally armed marines (up to 700 men maximum), up to six Challenger Mk2 main battle tanks or up to 30 wheeled armor vehicles.