On June 15, 1953, 200 warships, mostly British, anchored in the outer roadstead of Portsmouth, demonstrating the power and majesty of the Empire On Which the Sun Never Sets.
The decks glowed with a polished shine, rows of elegant sailors lined up along the sides loudly greeted the royal yacht. The gun barrels sparkled solemnly, the water in the Solent shimmered and sparkled joyfully, and everywhere, as far as the eye could reach, the White Ensign of the Royal Navy floated in the wind. And above all this splendor, tearing apart the snow-white cotton wool of the clouds with their wings, 300 naval aviation aircraft rushed.
The grandiose naval parade, timed to coincide with the accession to the throne of Elizabeth II, was the last in the British fleet. Neither the high masts nor the gray sides of the ships could protect Britain from the coming catastrophe - the mechanism of the collapse of the empire was launched, and now the arrogant British could only wait for the last colony to separate, and for the once great power to finally turn into “small Britain.”
And if there are no colonies, then there is no fleet. Great Britain could not afford to maintain hundreds of warships just like that, for the sake of the notorious prestige - tormented by economic problems, it radically reduced military spending. Powerful battleships were scrapped together, and excess aircraft carriers and destroyers were gradually sold to other countries.
By the early 1980s, the anthem “Rule, O Britannia, the Seas!” sounded like a mockery of British sailors. Her Majesty's fleet had degraded to a completely bestial state - the Falklands War showed that British ships could be shot at strafing flight without fear.
Flimsy frigates dying from unexploded missiles, outdated weapons and sub-aircraft carriers that never dared to enter the combat zone to directly cover destroyers and landing ships... Her Majesty’s squadron was saved from complete defeat only by the traditionally high training of British sailors and the fact that 80% The bombs that hit the ships did not explode.
Neither the excellent training of the personnel, nor the meticulously thought-out system of logistics and combat support could make up for the lack of a normal air defense system. The chronicle of the Falklands War describes wild cases when the crews of British ships had to fight off Argentine Air Force jets with friendly salvoes from ... rifles. The conclusion is logical - a third of the 80 British ships and vessels that reached the combat zone received various damage from Argentine aviation. Six of them were sunk.
And this is the result of a collision with some distant Argentina, which has only 5 anti-ship missiles! What can you expect when meeting a more serious opponent?
Gloomy reports of the destruction of ships in the South Atlantic slowed down the collapse of Her Majesty’s fleet - frightened by Argentine bombs, the British rushed “at a gallop across Europe” to acquire robotic anti-aircraft guns for the self-defense of their ships - a month after the end of the war, the first batch of American Phalanxes was ordered. Urgent work began to improve survivability; synthetic finishing of premises was replaced by non-combustible materials. New modifications of the Type 42 destroyers - with installed Phalanxes and increased anti-aircraft ammunition - more or less corresponded to accepted world standards in their class. The serial construction of multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Trafalgar type continued, the light aircraft carrier Ark Royal, the third ship of the Invincible class, was being completed...
And yet, through all the British stiffness, the weakness and small numbers of Her Majesty’s fleet clearly showed through. The entire surface component was a replica of a real warship - and no matter how hard the British designers tried, it turned out to be impossible to build a full-fledged modern destroyer in the hull of a ship with a displacement of less than 5 thousand tons. The overgrown Type 42 frigate remained an “ugly duckling” compared to its American, Japanese or Soviet peers.
Renaissance
By the mid-1990s, a new era in the history of the British fleet began. “We are few, but we are in vests” - this phrase best describes the modern Royal Navy.
The British, as before, are not able to build ships in large series (in fact, the foreign policy situation does not require this). But, as for the quality of naval equipment, the Britons create something truly unique, often superior to all world analogues in its class.
Super-air defense destroyers of the Daring type, multi-purpose nuclear submarines of Estute, aircraft carriers of the Queen Elizabeth type... all this is accompanied by excellent training of personnel (only professionals serve) and a detailed scheme for the use of the fleet: what, where, when, for what .
The number of surface combat units in the Royal Navy, at first glance, can cause a smile: only 4 universal landing ships, as well as 18 destroyers and frigates as of 2013 (another destroyer HMS Duncan is currently undergoing sea trials, its entry into service is planned for 2014).
The strange symbols in front of the name of every British warship (HMS) are nothing more than an abbreviation for Her Majesty's Ship.
Most of the British surface ships are classified as Type 23 frigates, also known as Duke class. There are 13 units in service, all built between 1987 and 2002.
On the technical side, they are ordinary, unremarkable ships with a displacement of about 5,000 tons, designed to perform escort, patrol and auxiliary missions around the globe.
The combined diesel-electric-gas turbine propulsion system (CODLAG type) allows for speeds of up to 28 knots (the lightweight HMS Sutherland is reported to have reached 34 knots during testing in 2008). Cruising range 7,500 miles (14,000 km) at economic speed 15 knots. - quite enough to cross the Atlantic twice.
Crew – 185...205 people, depending on the assigned tasks.
Armament is standard for NATO countries, taking into account some British traditions:
- 8 anti-ship missiles "Harpoon";
- Sea Wolf naval air defense system (32 UVP in the bow of the frigate);
- British 4.5-inch universal gun (caliber 114 mm);
- a pair of automated artillery installations "Oerlikon" DS-30M;
- small-sized anti-submarine torpedoes;
- aft helipad, hangar.
Frigate HMS Northumberland
A tough multi-purpose ship for low intensity conflicts. The main drawback of the Type 23 frigate is its Sea Wolf air defense system. Despite its formidable appearance and 32 ready-to-launch missiles, the characteristics of this complex correspond more to the portable Stinger air defense system than to a full-fledged naval air defense system. The maximum firing range is 10 km; we can assume that the British Type 23 frigate is completely unprotected from air attacks.
However, in reality, an air attack on the Type 23 would be very problematic. After all, there is always a “big brother” nearby - the inimitable air defense destroyer of the Daring class (aka Type 45 or D type).
"Daring"... In total, since 2003, Her Majesty’s fleet has been replenished with six ships of this type. The most modern destroyers in the world, whose design incorporates the most advanced technologies in the field of existing naval air defense systems.
Two radars with active phased array: centimeter - for detecting low-flying targets against the background of water, and decimeter - control of airspace at a range of up to 400 km.
Fantastic anti-aircraft system PAAMS, capable of knocking down cruise missiles rushing at a height of 5 meters at a speed of Mach 2.5. The complex's ammunition load is 48 missiles of the Aster family with an active homing head (another surprise!). The firing range of the Asters is 120 km.
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The largest ship in the British Navy today is HMS Illustrious- the only surviving light aircraft carrier of the Invincible class.
At the moment, due to the decommissioning of the Sea Harrier VTOL aircraft, the ship is not used for its intended purpose and is classified as an amphibious helicopter carrier. It is expected that the old ship, launched back in 1978, will leave the Royal Navy next year.
Also, the British fleet has several other large surface units - two Albion-class helicopter carriers and an Ocean-class landing helicopter carrier. All three ships were built between 1994 and 2004.
Her Majesty's Ship Ocean is an analogue of the Mistral - a universal landing ship of similar dimensions, with a continuous flight deck, but without an aft docking chamber (landing boats are launched into the water using sloop beams). Air group - up to 18 helicopters: multi-purpose Lynx, Merlin and Sea King; heavy military transport "Chinook"; Apache attack helicopters. The ship's interior is designed to accommodate 830 Marines.
HMS Ocean
Albion-class landing ships, unlike the Ocean, they lack a continuous flight deck and a helicopter hangar, but have a dock chamber filled with water, designed for 8 self-propelled barges (4 tank landings and 4 light ones). Additional landing craft can be launched using sloop beams. The landing ship can transport 400 paratroopers in one flight (up to 700 for a short time), the 64-meter-long aft helipad allows for simultaneous takeoff and landing operations of two Merlin transport helicopters.
When the situation goes beyond the colonial showdown with the Papuans and things begin to take a really serious turn, it is the turn of the nuclear submarine fleet. Slippery black fish do not know how to “show the flag” and spoil the look at any parade (ugh! what monsters!). The only thing these machines can do is cut off sea communications, sinking everyone who gets in their way, or “cover” targets deep in enemy territory with a salvo of cruise missiles. And then, grumbling dissatisfied with the refrigeration machines and pumps of the reactor circuits, cross the ocean in a submerged position as a dark shadow to fall asleep again at the pier in Davenport (British submarine fleet base).
In total, the Britons currently have 7 multi-purpose nuclear submarines - five elderly Trafalgars built in the 1980s and two newest Estute-class submarines.
"Trafalgar" is a modest boat with a surface displacement of 4800 tons (submerged - 5300 tons). Submerged speed – 32 knots. Crew – 130 people. Armament – 5 torpedo tubes, ammunition – up to 30 Spearfish (“swordfish”) guided torpedoes with a firing range of up to 30 miles (when firing at shorter distances, the torpedo speed can reach 80 knots ≈ 150 km/h).
Since 1998, Trafalgar-class submarines have been able to carry tactical Tomahawk CRBMs instead of some torpedoes.
The story with nuclear-powered ships of the Astute class is much more interesting - HMS Astute and HMS Ambush are already in service, the next four boats are at various stages of construction (for example, HMS Agamemnon was laid down two weeks ago, in July 2013). The seventh Estute, HMS Ajaks, is scheduled to be laid down in the coming years.
HMS Ambush
"Estute"- the world's most modern multi-purpose nuclear submarine project with considerable combat capabilities. Fresh water and the Estute obtains oxygen directly from sea water, and the only reason to appear on the surface once every three months is to change the crew and replenish food supplies. Many innovative solutions have been introduced into the design of the boat; it is invisible and inaudible to the enemy; instead of the usual periscope, there is a multifunctional mast with video cameras, thermal imagers and a laser rangefinder. The British are proud to report that Estute, without even leaving the base, is able to follow the movement of the Queen Elizabeth II liner along the entire route from London to New York.
The main arguments of the super-boat are 6 TA of 533 mm caliber and an ammunition load of 38 torpedoes, mines and Tomahawk cruise missiles (the British fleet has currently adopted the Tomahawk Block IV - the most advanced modification of the Ax with the ability to reprogram in flight and attack moving targets).
The British also have more creepy “toys” - four Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ships, carriers of Trident-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles - 16 pieces in the belly of each “fish”. Everything is simple here - bam! bam! and the end of life on Earth.
As for less destructive means, in addition to all of the above, British sailors have 15 mine-sweeping ships, the training destroyer Bristol and two dozen patrol ships, including the icebreaker HMS Protecor.
HMS Protector off the coast of Antarctica
Her Majesty also has her own little secret - Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). A supporting fleet of 19 container ships, tankers, integrated supply ships, amphibious assault ships and the RFA Diligence, displacing 10,850 tons.
RFA is just the beginning. In crisis situations, the Ministry of Defense begins to requisition ships from private owners. Any means are used, for example, during the Falklands War, the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth was requisitioned from the Cunard Line company as a hospital.
The RFA is a vital element of the fleet, allowing Her Majesty's ships to quickly move to any area of the planet and transport expeditionary forces with them. Without these ships, the British would not have been able to fight on foreign shores and would have been sad under the cloudy sky of Foggy Albion.
Epilogue
The British Navy is currently stronger than it has been in 50 years. The Royal Navy is a well-balanced and well-trained force to tackle any pressing mission - from international operations within NATO to domestic warfare.
In the future, Her Majesty's fleet expects some changes - by the end of this decade the epic with the construction of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers should be completed. The fate of these ships has been rewritten more than once - for example, in 2010 it was assumed that three years after construction the lead aircraft carrier would be mothballed and sold to another country (South Korea and Taiwan were named among the possible buyers). Now plans have changed again - both aircraft-carrying ships will probably remain in the ranks of the Royal Navy, but will be rebuilt for ski-jump takeoff; the installation of catapults was considered unnecessarily wasteful. Time will tell what will happen next; the lead aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth is due to enter service in 2016.
Fleet tanker RFA Wave Ruler
Vanguard-class strategic submarine missile carrier
By the beginning of the 1980s. Great Britain has not been the greatest maritime power for a long time, however, the country had a very significant navy, which included the navy itself, naval aviation and marines. The Navy included submarine and surface forces. The first consisted of four squadrons: one of nuclear missile carriers, two of nuclear multi-purpose submarines and one of diesel submarines. The second consisted of two flotillas of escort ships (each consisting of three squadrons of frigates and one of destroyers), and the third flotilla included two light aircraft carriers, landing helicopter dock ships and one destroyer. A disclaimer must be made here: the British classification of ships at that time looked very peculiar. For example, representatives of the "County" class and type 82 were officially classified as light cruisers, while representatives of the 22 class were classified either as frigates or destroyers.
According to experts, Royal Navy clearly lacked landing ships, which did not allow the transfer of a large group of ground forces more than 7,000 miles from the British Isles. However, this problem was solved by attracting mobilized and requisitioned merchant fleet vessels.
The small number of the strike component of naval aviation - the Sea Harrier FRS.1 VTOL aircraft - was partly compensated by the fact that the Air Force Harrier GR.3 aircraft were used from the deck of the aircraft carrier. In addition, strategic bombers from the Air Force were used to strike the islands occupied by the Argentines. Basic patrol aircraft also operated in the interests of the fleet.
Based on the results of the conflict, it was noted that the personnel of the British armed forces demonstrated a fairly high level of combat training. The superiority of British professional military personnel over Argentine conscripts, and the generally higher level of training of both officers and privates, also had an impact.
The operation to restore British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia was called Operation Corporate. General leadership was assumed by Prime Minister M. Thatcher, operational leadership was entrusted to the First Sea Lord, Admiral D. Fieldhouse. Two operational formations were formed: TF.317 (main forces) and TF.324 (submarine forces).
The commander of task force TF.317 was Rear Admiral D. Woodward, who had previously headed the 1st Flotilla of surface ships. It is worth noting that, according to him, many very competent people and serious organizations doubted the success of the operation from the very beginning. Among them were:
Experts and senior officers of the US Navy who believed that the return of the Falklands by military means was impossible;
The British Ministry of Defense, which regarded the whole undertaking as too risky;
Part of the army command, which considered the actions reckless due to the unfavorable numerical balance of forces on land;
The Royal Air Force, which considered its capabilities limited due to the great remoteness of the area and feared that this left the fleet no chance of resisting enemy aircraft;
Secretary of Defense J. Nott. The fact is that the success of the operation could refute all his arguments in favor of reducing the Navy, set out in the Defense Review in 1981.
Despite any difficulties, already on April 5, the first echelon of TE317 left Portsmouth. By April 25, the advanced forces approached South Georgia, and by April 29, the main forces were already at the Falkland Islands. The second echelon departed Portsmouth on 9 May and arrived in the combat zone by 26 May. In addition, some warships arrived independently, while auxiliary and transport ships arrived as part of small convoys.
After the end of hostilities, additional ships and transport vessels were sent to the South Atlantic.
The names of British ships contain the abbreviation “HMS”, which means “Her Majesty Ship”. It should be borne in mind that, according to a long-established tradition, the British also designate their ships and vessels according to their departmental affiliation.
Several common abbreviations in English literature:
RN (Royal Navy) - Royal Navy,
RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) - Royal Naval Auxiliary Service,
RMS (Royal Mail Service) - Royal Postal Service,
RMAS (Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service) - Royal Auxiliary Fleet,
FAA (Fleet Air Army) - Fleet BSC,
RAF (Royal Air Fleet) - Royal BBC,
TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) - a no-ship zone (a 200-mile zone around the islands, declared a combat area).
Centaur-class aircraft carrier
Displacement: full - 28,700 tons, standard - 23,900 tons. Dimensions: 226.9 x 27.4 (48.8) x 8.7 m.
Power plant: steam turbine; two Parsons turbines of 38,000 hp each, four Admiralty boilers. Two propellers. Speed: 28 knots
Cruising range: 6000 miles at 20 knots.
Crew: 1071 people + 350 air group (as of 1983).
Armament: Sea Cat air defense system 2x4 RPU GWS 22.
Aviation (at the time of entry into the conflict area): 18 helicopters
"Sea King", 12 VTOL "Sea Harrier".
Radar 965 - detection of air targets with a single antenna system of the AKE-1 type;
Radar 993 - detection and identification of surface targets; RYAS 1006 - navigation; Podkilnaya GAS 184.
"Hermes" (R-12)
Laid down: 21/6/1944, Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness Launched: 16/2/1953 Entered service: 18/11/1959
During its service, it underwent a number of re-equipment and modernizations. The VTOL aircraft became a carrier after May 1981.
In the conflict zone since April 25, 1982 (captain L.E. Middleton).
The flagship of the British task force.
At the time of the outbreak of hostilities, he was carrying aircraft from the 800th squadron and nine helicopters each from the 826th and 846th squadrons. On May 17 - 20, it received four more Sea Harriers from the 809th Squadron to replenish the 800th, as well as six Harrier GR.3s from the 1st Fighter Squadron of the Air Force. Additional helicopters arrived on the ship from transports as needed.
According to official British data, during the conflict pilots of the Hermes air group destroyed 18 aircraft(16 aircraft and 2 helicopters) of the enemy, they “shared” two more (the helicopter with the pilots of the 801st squadron, and the plane with the anti-aircraft gunners of the Ardent FR). The pilots also have damaged trawlers ( reconnaissance ship) “Narwal”, fleet transport “Bahía Buen Suceso”, transport vessel “Rio Carcarana” and patrol boat “Rio Iguaza”. All of these units were later destroyed by other forces.
Own losses amounted to two Sea Harrier aircraft, of which one was killed in an accident and one was shot down by Argentine anti-aircraft gunners. Four Harrier GR.3s were also lost, of which one was killed due to a technical malfunction, and the rest were shot down by enemy air defenses. The 826th squadron lost two helicopters as a result of accidents, the 846th also lost two, also as a result of accidents. Another Sea King from this squadron was destroyed by its crew after an emergency landing in Chile while performing a special mission.
The aircraft carrier was put into reserve on April 12, 1984, and expelled from the fleet on July 1, 1985. Sold to India 19.4.1986, renamed "Viraat". Currently in service, awaiting replacement.
Invincible-class light aircraft carriers
Displacement: full - 19,810 tons, standard - 16,000 tons. Dimensions: 206.6 x 31.9 x 7.9 m.
Power plant: gas turbine, four Rolls-Royce Olympus TMZV turbines of 28,000 hp each. Two propellers. Speed: 28 knots
Cruising range: 5000 miles at 18 knots. Crew: 1000 people (data in reference books and on Internet sites vary greatly. As of 1982, the following configuration can be considered the most reliable: 725 ship crew members and 365 people in the air group). Armament: Sea Cat air defense system 1x2 RPU GWS 30, ammunition 22 missiles. Aviation (at the time of entry into the conflict zone): 11 “Sea King”, 8 “Sea Harrier”.
Electronic equipment:
Radar 1022 - detection of air targets;
Radar 992R - detection and identification of surface targets;
two radars 1006 - navigation;
two radars 909 - control of the Sea Cat air defense system;
Podkilnaya GAS 2016.
"Invincible" (R-05)
Laid down: 20.7.1973, Vickers Shipbuilding Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness Launched: 8.5.1977 Entered service: 11.7.1980
In the conflict zone since April 25, 1982 (captain J.J. Black).
At the time of the outbreak of hostilities, he was carrying aircraft from the 801st squadron and helicopters from the 820th squadron. On May 17 - 20, I received four more vehicles from the 809th squadron for the 801st. Additional helicopters arrived on the ship from transports as needed.
According to official British data, during the conflict the pilots of the Invincible air group destroyed eight and a half enemy aircraft (eight aircraft + a helicopter shared with the pilots of the 800th squadron). Own losses amounted to four Sea Harrier VTOL aircraft, of which three died as a result of accidents and one was shot down by Argentine anti-aircraft gunners.
Subsequently, he participated in various military and “police” operations: in the Adriatic Sea (bombing Bosnian Serb positions in 1995), in the Persian Gulf in 1998. In 1999, he took part in hostilities against Yugoslavia. Transferred to reserve on August 3, 2005.
"Illustrious" (R-06)
Laid down: 7.10.1976, Swan Hunter, River Tyne Launched: 1.12.1981 Entered service: 20.6.1982
After the outbreak of the conflict with Argentina, work on the ship was carried out with maximum intensity, and its entry into service took place much earlier than planned. The completed ship immediately set sail for the South Atlantic, arriving in the Falkland Islands area in August. Replaced the “Invincible” that departed for the metropolis. After returning to her homeland in 1983, some work was completed on Illustrious and on March 20 she was formally commissioned into the Navy.
As of 2006, the ship was in service.
Churchill and Valiant class nuclear submarines
Displacement: submerged - 4900 tons, standard - 4400 tons.
Dimensions: 86.9 x: 10.1 x 8.2 m.
EC: nuclear; Rolls-Royce water-cooled reactor type PWR1; two English Electric steam turbines of 7500 hp each. One propeller. Auxiliary power plant: diesel-electric. One Paxton diesel generator, one motor, 112-cell battery. Speed: 28 knots submerged, 20 knots. - on the surface. Immersion depth: 230 m (maximum - 300 m). Crew: 103 people.
Armament: 6 - 533 mm TA for Mk 8 or Mk 24 torpedoes and Sub Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Ammunition - 26 torpedoes or anti-ship missiles. Instead of torpedoes they can take mines. Radio-electronic equipment: radar 1006 - navigation; GAS 2001, 2007, 197, 183.
"Conqueror" (S-48)
Laid down: 5.1.1967, Cammell Laird, Birkenhead Launched: 18.8.1969 Entered service: 9.11.1971
In the conflict zone since April 16, 1982 (Commander S.K. Wreford-Brown).
On April 30, southeast of the Falkland Islands, a submarine outside the so-called “200-mile zone” noticed the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano. The commander of the Task Force, Rear Admiral J. S. Woodward, ordered the sinking of the enemy ship. The message was intercepted at Northwood, the Royal Navy's command center. The British government, after debate, confirmed this order.
On May 2, Conqueror fired three Mk 8 torpedoes at the cruiser, two of which hit the target. Soon, the General Belgrano began to sink rapidly and was abandoned by its crew, with 323 people killed.
After the sinking of the enemy ship, the submarine did not participate in active hostilities, monitoring Argentinean aircraft taking off from the mainland.
The submarine was transferred to reserve on August 2, 1990. Awaiting cutting for metal.
"Courageous" (S-50)
Laid down: 15.5.1968 Vickers Shipbuildings Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness Launched: 7.3.1970 Entered service: 16.10.1971
In the conflict zone since May 30, 1982 (Commander R.T.N. Best). The submarine was transferred to reserve on 04/10/1992. Currently a museum ship in Devonport.
"Valiant" (S-102)
Laid down: 22.1.1962, Vickers Shipbuildings Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness Launched: 3.12.1963 Entered service: 18.7.1966
In the conflict zone since May 16, 1982 (commander T.M. Le Marchand). The submarine was transferred to reserve on August 12, 1994. Awaiting cutting for metal.
Swiftsure-class nuclear submarines
Displacement: submerged - 4500 tons, standard surfaced - 4200 tons. Dimensions: 82.9 x 9.8 x 8.2 m.
EC: nuclear; Rolls-Royce water cooling reactor type PWR 1 mod P2; two General Electric steam turbines of 7500 hp each. One propeller.
Auxiliary power plant: one Paxman diesel, 4000 hp.
Emergency power plant: diesel-electric; diesel generator, one
HED, rechargeable battery of 112 cells.
Speed: 30 knots submerged, 18 kt. - on the surface.
Immersion depth: 300 m (maximum - 400 m).
Crew: 97 people.
Armament: 5 - 533 mm TA for Mk 8 or Mk 24 torpedoes and Sub Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Ammunition - 20 torpedoes or anti-ship missiles. Instead of torpedoes they can take mines. > Electronic equipment: radar 1006 - navigation; GAS 2001, 2007, 197, 183.
"Spartan" (S-105)
Laid down: 26/4/1976, Vickers Shipbuildings Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness Launched: 7/5/1978 Entered service: 22/9/1979
In the conflict zone since April 12, 1982 (Commander J.B. Taylor).
The first ship of the British fleet to arrive in the war zone. He discovered an Argentine transport ship engaged in laying mines in Port Stanley harbor, but did not receive an order to attack it. During the campaign he carried out reconnaissance and observation missions.
The submarine was transferred to reserve in January 2006.
"Splendid" (S-106)
Laid down: 23/11/1977, Vickers Shipbuildings Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness Launched: 5/10/1979 Entered service: 21/3/1981
In the conflict zone since 19.4.1982 (Commander R.C. Lane-Nott). During the campaign, she carried out reconnaissance and observation missions.
In the late 1990s, she became the first British submarine to be equipped with American-made Tomahawk missiles. During the war in Yugoslavia, she took part in the shelling of Belgrade. She also used rocket weapons during the second Gulf War. Transferred to reserve in 2003.
Oberon-class submarine
Displacement: submerged - 2410 tons, surfaced - 2030 tons, standard - 1610 tons. Dimensions: 90 x 8.1 x 5.5 m.
Power plant: diesel-electric; two Admiralty Standard Range 16WS AS21 diesel engines, 1840 hp each; two English Electric electric motors of 3000 hp each. Two groups of batteries with 240 cells each. Two propellers.
Speed: 17 knots submerged, 12 knots. - on the surface, 10 knots. - under the RDP. Dive depth: 200 m.
Cruising range: 9,000 miles on the surface. Crew: 69 people.
Armament: 8 - 533-mm TA (two stern ones were later dismantled), ammunition capacity: 24 Mk 8 or Mk 24 torpedoes. Can take mines instead of torpedoes. Radio-electronic equipment: radar 1006 - navigation; GAS 2001, 2007, 187.
Laid down: 11/16/1964, Cammell Laird, Birkenhead Launched: 8/18/1966 Commissioned: 11/20/1967
In the conflict zone since May 28, 1982 (Lieutenant Commander A. O. Johnson).
The only non-nuclear submarine Royal Navy participated in the conflict. Its small displacement compared to the nuclear submarine made it a convenient means of delivering special forces reconnaissance and sabotage groups in shallow waters, including off the coast of Argentina proper.
The submarine was transferred to reserve in 1991. Exhibited in Birkenhead as a monument ship. In 2006 a transfer to Barrow-in-Furness was proposed.
County-class destroyers
Displacement: full - 6200 tons, standard - 5440 tons. Dimensions: 158.7 x 16.5 x 6.3 m.
Power plant: combined steam-gas turbine according to the COSAG (Combination of Steam and Gas) scheme; two Babcock & Wilson steam turbines of 15,000 hp each, four G.6 gas turbines of 7,500 hp each. Two propeller shafts. Speed: 30 knots
Cruising range: 4000 miles at 28 knots. Crew: 471 people.
Armament: Exocet anti-ship missile system 4x1 MM38 anti-ship missile launcher; SAM "Seaslug" 2x1 PU Mk 2, ammunition 36 missiles; SAM "Sea Cat" 2x4 RPU GWS22, ammunition 32 missiles; 1x2 4.5745 AU Mk 6; 2x1 20mm gun "Oerlikon";
2x3 324-mm TA Mk 32, ammunition 12 Mk 46 torpedoes. Aviation: one Wessex helicopter. Electronic equipment:
Radar 278 - monitoring the air situation; Radar 993 - fire control;
Radar 1022 - search;
Radar 901 - control of the Seaslug air defense system;
Radar 904 - control of the Sea Cat air defense system;
Radar 1006 - navigation;
Podkilnaya GAS 184M.
"Antrim" (D-18)
Laid down: 20.1.1966, Fairfield, Gauvin Launched: 19.10.967 Entered service: 14.7.1970
In the conflict zone since April 17, 1982 (captain B.G. Young).
She was the flagship of TF.60 during Operation Paraquat (liberation of South Georgia, April 1982). His airborne Wessex helicopter (from 737 Squadron) took part in the successful attack on the Argentine submarine Santa Fe. On May 21, the EM was hit by an unexploded 1000-pound bomb (dropped by a Dagger aircraft from the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group).
In 1984, the ship was transferred to reserve. Sold to Chile 22.6.1984, renamed "Almirante Cochrane". Withdrawn from the fleet on September 22, 2006.
"Glamorgan" (D-19)
Laid down: 13.9.1962, Vickers Armstrong, Newcastle upon Tyne Launched: 9.7.1964 Entered service: 11.10.1966
In the conflict zone since April 25, 1982 (captain M.E. Barrow).
During the shelling of Argentine positions near Port Stanley on May 1, he received light damage as a result of the close explosion of two 500-pound bombs dropped by a Dagger aircraft from the 6th Fighter Bomber Group.
While located approximately 18 miles from the coast in the Port Stanley area, on June 12 at 6.37 he was hit by an Exoset anti-ship missile fired from a ground-based installation. The rocket that penetrated the left side of the ship did not explode, but ricocheted into the hangar, destroying the Wessex helicopter and causing a strong fire. As a result, 13 people were killed and 17 were injured. By 10:00 the fire was extinguished. After returning to Portsmouth, the ship was under repair for a long time.
EM participated in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in 1984. Transferred to reserve in 1986. Sold to Chile in September 1986, renamed "Almirante Latorre". Withdrew from the fleet at the end of 1998. Sank in December 2005 while being towed for scrapping.
Type 82 destroyer
Displacement: full - 7100 tons, standard - 6100 tons. Dimensions: 154.5 x 16.8 x 5.2 m (draft according to GAS - 7 m). Power plant: combined steam-gas turbine according to the COSAG (Combination of Steam and Gas) scheme; two Admiralty Standard Range steam turbines of 15,000 hp each, two boilers, two Bristol-Siddeley Marine Olympus TM1A gas turbines of 15,000 hp each. Two propeller shafts. Speed: 29 knots
Cruising range: 5000 miles at 18 knots. Crew: 407 people.
Armament: Sea Darb 1x2 RPU air defense system, 30 missiles;
PLRK "Ikara" 1x1 PU, 40 PLUR GWS 40;
1x1 4.5755 AU Mk 8;
2x1 20mm gun "Oerlikon" Mk 7.
Aviation: landing pad for one Wasp helicopter. Electronic equipment:
Radar 965M - detection of air targets with a double antenna system of the AKE-2 type;
Radar 992 - detection and identification of surface targets; two radars 909 - control of the Sea Dart air defense system; Radar 1006 - navigation; GAS 162, 170, 182, 184, 185, 189.
"Bristol" (D-23)
Laid down: 11/15/1967, Swan Hunter Ltd., Wallsend Launched: 6/30/1969 Commissioned: 3/31/1973
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (captain A. Grose).
Bristol was developed as an escort destroyer for Project CVA-01 aircraft carriers. After the closure of the program for their construction, he remained the only representative of his type. The ship was included in the operational force due to the fact that it was armed with the Sea Dart air defense system.
The EM was withdrawn from active service in 1991. Since 1987, it has been used as a training ship for Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts.
Type 42 destroyers (Sheffield)
Displacement: full - 4100 tons, standard - 3500 tons. Dimensions: 125 x 14.3 x 5.8 m.
Power plant: combined gas turbine COGOG (Combined Gas and Gas), two afterburning gas turbines Rolls-Royce Olympus TMZV 28,000 hp each, two cruising gas turbines Rolls-Royce Tupe RM1A 4250 hp each. Two shafts. Speed: 29 knots
Cruising range: 4000 miles at 18 knots. Crew: 268 people.
Armament: Sea Dart air defense system 1x2 RPU, ammunition 24 GWS 30 missiles;
1x1 4.5755 AU Mk 8;
2x1 20mm gun “Oerlikon” GAM-B01;
2x3 324-mm TA Mk 32, ammunition 12 Mk 46 torpedoes (except Sheffield). Aviation: Lynx Mk 2 helicopter. Electronic equipment:
Radar 965R - detection of air targets with a double antenna system of the AKE-2 type;
Radar 992Q - detection and identification of surface targets;
Radar 1022 - search (on D-89);
two radars 909 - control of the Sea Dart air defense system;
Radar 1006 - navigation;
podkilnye GAS 184M, 162.
Although the Type 42 ships that participated in the war belonged to two different series, the differences between them are very minor.
1st series "Cardiff" (D-108)
Laid down: 6.11.1972, Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Barrow-in-Furness
Launched: 2/22/1974 Entered into service: 9/24/1979
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (Captain M.G.T. Harris).
Due to failures in the exchange of information between the army and navy, on June 4, a Sea Dart missile defense system from a destroyer shot down a British army helicopter Gazelle from the 656th squadron, killing four people (two pilots and two passengers).
In 1991, EM participated in the Gulf War. Withdrawn from the fleet on July 14, 2005 in Portsmouth. Currently awaiting sale.
"Glasgow" (D-88)
Laid down: 16.5.1974, Swan Hunter Shipyard, Wallsend Launched: 14.4.1976 Entered service: 25.5.1977
In the conflict zone since April 20, 1982 (captain A.R. Hoddinott).
On the night of May 2, the Sea Squa anti-ship missiles, fired by helicopters from the Glasgow and Coventry ships, seriously damaged the Argentine corvette (patrol ship) Alférez Sobral.
On May 12, while on patrol duty together with the Brilliant FR, which ensured the destruction of aircraft at short distances with Sea Wolf missiles, at approximately 13.45 the ships were attacked by Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. During the first attack on Glasgow, the Sea Dart air defense system failed. Thanks to Brilliant's efforts, three planes were shot down. During the attack of the second wave, problems arose on the frigate - the Sea Wolf air defense system failed. As a result, the destroyer was hit by a 1,000-pound bomb, which pierced the ship from one side to the other, but never exploded. No one from the crew was injured. Due to the damage received, the Glasgow had to be sent to England for repairs; she became the first ship to return home.
The plane that hit the destroyer did not survive that day. While returning to the base in Rio Gallego, their group was fired upon by Argentine anti-aircraft artillery in the Goose Green area. The attack aircraft was shot down and its pilot was killed.
EM was transferred to reserve on 1/2/2005. Awaiting sale.
"Coventry" (D-118)
Laid down: 29/1/1973, Cammell Laird and Company, Birkenhead Launched: 21/6/1974 Entered service: 20/10/1978
In the conflict zone since April 20, 1982 (captain D. Hart-Dyke).
On May 2, Lynx from the destroyer took part in the attack on the corvette Alférez Sobral. On May 9, an Argentine Puma SA.330L helicopter from the 601st Army Aviation Battalion (CAB 601) was shot down by a Sea Dart missile. ■
On the morning of May 25 at 9.30, the Sea Dart air defense system shot down a Skyhawk from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. At 12.45 - another Skyhawk from the 4th Fighter-Bomber Group. At 15.20, Coventry was hit by three bombs dropped by Skyhawk aircraft from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group (the Broadsword was damaged during the same attack). An hour and a half later, the EM capsized and sank along with its helicopter. 18 people were killed and another 30 were injured. One of the wounded died a few months later.
"Sheffield" (D-80)
Laid down: 15.1.1970, Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Barrow-in-Furness
Launched: 10.6.1971 Entered service: 16.2.1975
8 conflict zone from April 20, 1982 (captain S. Salt).
On May 4, at approximately 11.00, the Exocet AM39 anti-ship missile was hit, fired by one of two Super Etendards from the 2nd Fighter Attack Squadron. The planes took off from Rio Grande Air Force Base. The missile was fired from a distance of 6 (according to Argentine data) to 30 (according to British) miles. The destroyer's outdated radar (radar 965) detected it 5 seconds before the hit, which prevented any evasive maneuvers. The second missile was allegedly fired at the frigate Yarmouth, but did not hit the target.
Exocet struck amidships approximately 8 feet above the waterline. The official Department of Defense report states that the missile's warhead did not explode, although many crew members claim that there was an explosion.
After the missile hit, the unspent fuel ignited, resulting in a severe fire, the fight against which was complicated by the failure of electric generators and damage to water mains. After unsuccessful attempts to control the fire, the order was given to abandon ship. The crew was received by "Arrow" and "Yarmouth". 20 people were killed, another 24 were injured and burned.
On May 9, Yarmouth received orders to move the destroyed destroyer hull outside the TEZ. While being towed on May 10 in difficult weather conditions, the Sheffield sank in the area at coordinates 53°04" S, 56°56" W, becoming the first Royal Navy ship to perish in 40 years.
2nd series "Exeter" (D-89)
Laid down: 22/7/1976, Swan Hunter Shipyard, Wallsend Launched: 25/4/1978 Entered service: 19/9/1980
In the conflict zone since May 19, 1982 (captain N.M. Balfour).
Arrived from the Caribbean, replacing the lost Sheffield. During the combat operations of the Sea Dart air defense system, four Argentine aircraft were shot down: on May 30 - two Skyhawks from the 4th Fighter-Bomber Group; June 7 - Learjet used as a photo reconnaissance aircraft from the 1st transport group; June 13 - Canberra bomber from the 2nd Bomb Group (the last Argentine aircraft destroyed during the conflict).
The EM took part in the Gulf War in 1991. It is currently in service.
Type 22 frigates ("Broadsword")
Displacement: full - 4000 tons, standard - 3500 tons. Dimensions: 131.2 x 14.8 x 6 m.
Power plant: combined gas turbine COGOG (Combined Gas and Gas), two afterburning gas turbines Rolls-Royce Olympus TMZV 28,000 hp each, two propulsion gas turbines Rolls-Royce Thule
Cruising range: 4500 miles at 18 knots. Crew: 223 (250) people.
Armament: Exocet anti-ship missile system 4x1 MM38 GWS 50 anti-ship missile launcher; SAM "Sea Wolf" 2x6 launcher GWS 25, ammunition 32 missiles; 2x1 40mm/bO AU;
2x3 324-mm TA Mk 32, ammunition 12 Mk 46 torpedoes. Aviation: two Lynx Mk 2 helicopters. Electronic equipment:
Radars 967, 968 - detection of air and surface targets; two radars 910 - control of the Sea Wolf air defense system; Radar 1006 - navigation; Podkilnaya GAS 2006.
"Brilliant" (F-90)
Laid down: 25.3.1977, Yarrow Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 15.12.1978 Entered service: 15.5.1981
In the conflict zone since April 20, 1982 (captain J.F. Coward).
During the hostilities, the frigate's helicopters took part in a successful attack on the Argentine submarine Santa Fe. Brilliant was the first British ship to use the Sea Wolf air defense system in combat, shooting down three enemy aircraft on May 12 (two Skyhawk attack aircraft directly, the third fell into the water during an anti-missile maneuver). On May 21 and 23, near San Carlos, it was attacked by Dagger aircraft of the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group and was slightly damaged by airborne weapon fire.
On May 22, a helicopter from the frigate discovered the coaster Monsunen, which had been captured by the Argentines in April. After an attempt to board the ship by a special forces group ended in failure, the frigates Brilliant and Yarmouth forced it to beach. The next day Monsunen was towed to Darwin by the British.
On May 25, Brilliant participated in the rescue of the crew of the container ship (aircraft transport) Atlantic Conveyor, which was hit by the Argentine Exocet anti-ship missile.
An interesting detail: the silhouettes of the Brilliant and Arrow FRs were painted on the fuselage of the Dagger fighter-bomber with tail number C-412.
The ship was transferred to reserve in 1996. Sold to Brazil on 31.8.1996, renamed Dodsworth. Currently in service.
"Broadsword" (F-88)
Laid down: 7.2.1975, Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 12.5.1976 Entered service: 3.5.1979
In the conflict zone since April 25, 1982 (captain W.R. Canning).
On May 21, he received minor damage as a result of shelling by Dagger aircraft of the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group.
On May 25, after the failure of the Seawolf air defense system, it was hit by an unexploded bomb dropped by a Skyhawk attack aircraft of the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. The bomb hit the stern and, rendering the Lynx stationed there unusable, ricocheted into the sea. After the death, Coventry picked up about 170 people.
Some sources report that during the conflict, the frigate's air defense system shot down four aircraft. However, with some certainty, only the “Dagger” from the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group, shot down on May 21, can be indicated. The Argonaut and Plymouth FRs also lay claim to the destruction of this aircraft.
The ship was transferred to reserve on March 31, 1995. Sold to Brazil 30/6/1995, renamed 'Greenhalgh'. Currently in service.
Type 21 frigates ("Amazon")
Displacement: full - 3250 tons, standard - 2750 tons. Dimensions: 117 x 12.7 x 5.8 m.
Power plant: combined gas turbine COCOG (Combined Gas and Gas), two afterburning gas turbines Rolls-Royce Olympus TMZV 28,000 hp each, two propulsion gas turbines Rolls-Royce Tupe
RM1A 4250 hp Two shafts. Speed: 30 knots
Range: 4000 miles at 17 knots. Crew: 175 people.
Armament: Exocet anti-ship missile system 4x1 MM38 anti-ship missile launcher (except F-170); SAM “Sea Cat” 1x4 PU, GWS 24, ammunition 20 missiles; 1x1 4.5755 AU Mk 8; 2x1 20mm gun "Oerlikon";
2x3 324-mm TA Mk 1, ammunition 12 Mk 46 torpedoes. Aviation: one Lynx Mk 2 (in 1980 - 1982 they replaced the previously based Wasp helicopters). Electronic equipment:
Radar 992Q - detection and identification of surface targets; RTN-10X WSA-4 - digital artillery fire control system; Radar 978 - navigation; Radar 1010 - identification; Radar PTR 461 - identification; sub-keel GAS 184M, 162M.
"Arrow" (F-173)
Laid down: 28.9.1972, Yarrow Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 5.2.1974 Entered service: 28.7.1976
In the conflict zone since 20.4.1982 (Commander P.J. Bootherstone).
On May 1, the Dagger fighter-bomber of the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group was slightly damaged by artillery fire.
The ship was transferred to reserve in 1994. Sold to Pakistan on 1.3.1994, renamed "Khaibar". Currently in service.
"Avenger" (F-185)
Laid down: 30.10.1974, Yarrow Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 20.11.1975 Entered service: 15.4.1978
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (captain N.M. White).
According to official reports, on May 30, the ship's gunners shot down the Exocet AM39 anti-ship missile with 4.5" guns.
The ship was transferred to reserve in 1994. Sold to Pakistan on 23.9.1994, renamed Tippu Sultan. Currently in service.
"Active" (F-171)
Laid down: 23/7/1971, Vosper Thornycroft Ltd., Woolston Launched: 23/11/1972 Entered service: 19/7/1977
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (Commander P.C.B. Canter). The ship was transferred to reserve in 1994. Sold to Pakistan 9/23/1994, renamed Shah Jahan. Currently in service.
"Alacrity" (F-174)
Laid down: 5.3.1973, Yarrow Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 18.9.1974 Entered service: 2.7.1977
In the conflict zone since 25.4.1982 (Commander C.J.S. Craig). Received minor damage during one of the raids on May 1st. .
The most notable episode involving Alacrity was the sinking of the Argentine auxiliary vessel Isla de los Estados by artillery fire on the night of May 10-11. This was the only case of the use of weapons by a surface ship against a surface target during the entire conflict.
On May 11, the Argentine submarine San Luis reported that it had fired two torpedoes at Alacrity and Arrow.
The ship was transferred to reserve in 1994. Sold to Pakistan on 1.3.1994, renamed "Badr". Currently in service.
"Ambuscade" (F-172)
Laid down: 1.9.1971, Yarrow Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 18.1.1973 Entered service: 5.9.1975
In the conflict zone since 5/18/1982 (Commander P.J. Mosse).
The ship was put into reserve in 1993. Sold to Pakistan on 7/28/1993, renamed "Tariq". Currently in service.
"Antelope" (F-170)
Laid down: 23.3.1971, Vosper Thornycroft, Woolston Launched: 16.3.1972 Entered service: 19.7.1975
In the conflict zone since May 18, 1982 (Commander N. Tobin).
On the morning of May 23, a Lynx helicopter from the anti-ship missile frigate Sea Squa finally destroyed the previously damaged Argentine transport Rio Carcarana. On the same day, while covering the troops that had landed two days earlier, he was attacked by four Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. Two 1,000-pound unexploded bombs hit the starboard side of the ship (killing one person). The “Skyhawk” that dropped them was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile immediately after this, and the “Antelope”, the “Broadsword” FR and the coastal “Rapier” air defense system, as well as the crew of the “Blowpipe” MANPADS, claimed victory.
The damaged ship retreated to a safer area, where an attempt was made to clear the ammunition. To do this, a team from the Royal Corps of Engineers came on board. During the next - fourth - attempt to disarm the bomb, an explosion occurred, causing the detonation of the second bomb. One sapper was killed, the second was seriously wounded (later died), another seven people escaped with minor injuries.
The frigate received a hole from the waterline to the chimney, a fire broke out in the engine room, and the fire began to spread quickly. After the failure of power generators and fire-fighting systems, the captain gave the order to abandon ship. Five minutes after the last crew member (in full accordance with tradition, the captain himself) left, the first explosion of ammunition occurred. The explosions continued throughout the night. The next morning, the FR was still afloat, with a damaged keel and twisted and burnt-out superstructures. On the same day, May 24, the Antelope broke into two parts and sank.
"Ardent" (F-184)
Laid down: 26.2.974, Yarrow Ltd., Glasgow Launched: 9.5.1975 Entered service: 13.10.1977
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (Commander A. West).
On May 21, in Grantham Channel at approximately 14.40, it was attacked by three Dagger aircraft of the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group. Three of the nine 500-pound bombs that hit the ship exploded: two in the hangar, destroying the Lynx helicopter and causing the Sea Cat launcher to explode; the third is in the aft room of the auxiliary mechanisms. The ship lost power, but maintained a speed of about 17.5 knots. In addition, the 4.5" propulsion unit failed.
At 15.10 it was attacked again by three Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 3rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the Navy. Was hit by two bombs (both exploded). A strong fire started on the frigate, and water began to flow into the hull. The captain gave the order to abandon ship. The crew was lifted aboard the Yarmouth FR. Ardent sank on the morning of May 22. 24 crew members were killed and another 30 were injured.
According to the official website of the Argentine Air Force, the attacks on Ardent proceeded somewhat differently. At 14.00, A-4B Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group managed to hit a 1000-pound bomb on the stern of the frigate. At 2:40 p.m., two 1,000-pound bombs dropped by Dagger aircraft from the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group struck the rear again. At 15.01 it was hit by A-4Q Skyhawk attack aircraft from the naval 3rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron. However, the website indicates that in the latter case, 1000-pound ammunition was used, while according to all available information, naval aviation used 500-pound ammunition.
A few days later, divers removed light anti-aircraft artillery from the sunken frigate and installed it on other ships.
Former captain of the ship Alan West from 2002 to 2006. served as First Sea Lord.
Leander-class frigates
The Leander type consisted of three series (subgroups). Representatives of two of them took part in the Falklands Campaign: the 2nd series was called the “Exocet Group” in Britain, and the 3rd was called the “Broad Beam Group”.
Displacement: full - 3200 tons, standard - 2450 tons. Dimensions: 113.4 x 12.5 x 5.6 m (4.5 m along the keel). Power plant: steam turbine type Y-136; two White-English Electric double expansion steam turbines of 15,000 hp each; two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. Two propellers. Speed: 28 knots
Cruising range: 4000 miles at 15 knots. Crew: 223 people.
Armament: Exocet anti-ship missile system 4x1 MM38 anti-ship missile launcher;
SAM "Sea Cat" 3x4 RPU GWS 22;
2x1 40-MM/60 AU Mk 9;
2x3 324 mm TA Mk 32 for Mk 44/46 torpedoes.
Aviation: one Wasp or Lynx helicopter.
Electronic equipment:
Radar 965 - detection of air targets with a single antenna
AKE type system; N
Radar MRS 3 - fire control;
Radar 1006 - navigation;
Podkilnaya GAS 184.
"Argonaut" (F-56)
Laid down: 27/11/1964, Hawthorne Leslie, Hebburn-on-Tyne Launched: 8/2/1966 Entered service: 17/8/1967
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (captain S.N. Layman).
On May 21, at about 10.00, it was attacked by a single “Aermacchi” of the 1st Fighter Squadron. Lightly damaged by cannon fire and NUR in particular, radar 965 received damage. Several wounded.
On the same day at 14.30 he was attacked by five Skyhawk attack aircraft of the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. The hit of one of the two unexploded bombs in the cellar of the Sea Cat air defense system caused the detonation of two missiles. Two people died. The second battery ended up in the boiler room. After defusing the Argentine bombs, he departed to carry out repairs and modernization work, which lasted about a year.
The statement found in the literature that six attack aircraft took part in the attack on the Argonaut is not true: the sixth aircraft from the strike group returned to its airfield before reaching the Falkland Islands.
Transferred to reserve 31.3.1993; a few years later it was scrapped.
"Minerva" (F-45)
Laid down: 25.7.1963, Vickers-Armstrong Ltd, Newcastle Launched: 19.12.1964 Entered service: 14.5.1966
In the conflict zone since 23.5.1982 (Commander S.H.G. Johnston). The ship was transferred to reserve in March 1992 and sold for scrapping in July 1993.
"Pénélope" (F-127)
Laid down: 14.3.1961, Vickers-Armstrong Ltd, Newcastle Launched: 17.8.1962 Entered service: 31.10.1963
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (Commander P.V. Rickard). On June 13, a Lynx helicopter with a Pénélope anti-ship missile Sea Skua finally finished off the previously damaged Argentine patrol boat (belonging to the Coast Guard) Rio Iguazu.
According to the crew, on the same day, the Pénélope, which was accompanying the Nordic Ferry transport, repelled an attack launched by an Argentine Exocet anti-ship missile. Other sources do not confirm the fact of an attack using anti-ship missiles. FR returned home in September 1982.
The ship was transferred to reserve on April 25, 1991. Sold to Ecuador June 1991, renamed Presidente Eloy Alfaro. Currently in service.
Displacement: full - 2962 tons, standard - 2500 tons. Dimensions: 113.4 x 13.1 5.5 m (4.5 m along the keel). Power plant: steam turbine type Y-160; two White-English Electric double expansion steam turbines of 15,000 hp each; two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. Two propellers. Speed: 28 knots
Cruising range: 4000 miles at 15 knots. Crew: 260 people.
Armament: Exocet anti-ship missile system 4x1 MM38 anti-ship missile launcher; SAM "Sea Wolf" 1x6 RPU GWS 25; 2x1 20-MM/70 AU;
2x3 324 mm TA Mk 32 for Mk 44/46 torpedoes. Aviation: Lynx helicopter. Electronic equipment:
Radar 965 - detection of air targets with a single antenna system of the AKE type;
Radar 994 - detection of surface targets; Radar MRS 3 - fire control; Radar 1006 - navigation; Podkilnaya GAS 2016.
"Andromeda" (F-57)
Laid down: 25.5.1966, NM Dockyard, Portsmouth Launched: 24.4.1967 Entered service: 2.9.1968
Modernized in 1977 with replacement of weapons: 4.5" guns, Sea Cat air defense system, Limbo bomb launcher were removed. Anti-ship missiles, new air defense system, and TA were installed.
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (captain J.L. Weatherall).
The frigate was transferred to reserve in June 1993. Sold to India. Entered the Indian Navy as a training ship "Krishna" on 8/22/1995. Currently in service.
Rothesay-class frigates (Modified Type 12)
Displacement: full - 2800 tons, standard - 2380 tons. Dimensions: 112.8 x 12.5 x 5.3 m.
Power plant: steam turbine; two Admiralty Standard Range steam turbines of 15,000 hp each, two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. Two propellers. Speed: 30 knots
Cruising range: 5200 miles at 12 knots. Crew: 235 people.
Armament: Sea Cat air defense system 1x4 RPU GWS 20, ammunition 16 missiles;
1x2 4.5745 AU Mk 6;
1x3 bomb launcher "Limbo" Mk 10.
Aviation: Wasp helicopter.
Electronic equipment:
Radar 994 - detection and identification of surface targets; Radar MRS 3 - fire control; Radar 978 - navigation; GAS 174, 162, 170.
"Yarmouth" (F-101)
Laid down: 29/11/1957, John Braun & Co Ltd, Clydebank Launched: 23/3/1959 Entered service: 26/3/1960
In the conflict zone since April 25, 1982 (Commander A. Morton).
On May 4, he took on board part of the crew from the Sheffield ship. On May 22, he took part in the seizure of the coaster "Monsunen".
The frigate was transferred to reserve on 4/30/1986. Sunk during firing training of the EM "Manchester" 16.6.1987.
Plymouth (F-126)
Laid down: 1.7.1958, HM Dockyard, Devonport Launched: 20.7.1959 Entered service: 11.5.1961
In the conflict zone since April 17, 1982 (captain D. Pentreath).
He took part in the liberation of South Georgia. On April 25, the frigate's helicopter took part in the attack on the Santa Fe submarine.
On June 8, it was attacked by Dagger aircraft of the 6th Fighter-Bomber Group. Was fired upon by cannons and hit by an unexploded bomb, which caused the detonation of one of the Limbo charges and caused minor damage to the ship.
The frigate was transferred to reserve in 1988 and subsequently exhibited in Birkenhead as a museum ship. By now, the Warship Preservation Trust company, which owned it, has gone bankrupt and the future of the old frigate is uncertain.
Landing Platform Docks
Displacement: full - 12,120 tons, standard - 11,060 tons, in ballast - 16,950 tons.
Dimensions: 158.5 x 24.4 6.2 m (with full load and filled dock chamber - 9.8 m).
Power plant: steam turbine. Two English Electric steam turbines of 11,000 hp each, two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. Two propellers. Speed: 21 knots
Cruising range: 5000 miles at 20 knots. Crew: 550 people. Armament: Sea Cat air defense system 4x4 RPU; 2x1 40 mm/70 AU.
Aviation: platform for five Sea King or Wessex helicopters. Electronic equipment:
Radar 994 - detection of air and surface targets; Radar 978 - navigation.
Landing capacity: 380 - 400 paratroopers (overload 700); 15 tanks, 7 three-ton trucks and 20 Land Rovers. Landing craft: 4 LCM/LCU Mk 9; 4 LCVP (LCA) Mk 2 on davits.
"Fearless" (L-10)
Laid down: 25/7/1962, Harland & Wolff, Belfast Launched: 12/19/1963 Entered service: 25/11/1965
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (captain E.S.L. Larken).
He took part in the landing in San Carlos on June 8, during which a landing craft of the LCM/LCU Mk 9 "F-4" (Foxtrot Four) type was destroyed by an aerial bomb from a Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. Four Marines and two sailors were killed.
During the operation, he provided a significant number of helicopter departures and landings (and even took the stray Sea Harrier VTOL aircraft onto the platform).
On May 27, anti-aircraft gunners from one of the landing ships (“Fearless” or “Intrepid”) damaged a Skyhawk from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group with 40-mm gun fire. When returning to its airfield, the attack aircraft crashed and the pilot ejected.
The ship was transferred to reserve on March 18, 2002.
"Intrepid" (L-11)
Laid down: 12/19/1962, John Brown, Clydebank Launched: 6/25/1964 Commissioned: 3/11/1967
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (captain P.G.V. Dingemans). Ship: transferred to reserve on August 31, 1999.
Landing craft (boats)
LCM/LCU Mk 9
Displacement: full - 176 tons, empty - 75 tons. Dimensions: 25.5 x 6.5 x 1.7 m.
Powertrain: diesel. Two 6-cylinder Paxman YHXAM engines of 312 hp each. Two screws. Speed: 10 knots
Load capacity: up to 100 tons (armored vehicles, special vehicles, cars, various weapons, etc.).
Displacement: full - 13.5 tons, empty - 8.5 tons. Dimensions: 12.7 3.1 0.8 m.
Powertrain: diesel. Two Foden 100 hp diesel engines Two screws. Speed: 10 knots
Landing capacity: 35 people or 2 Land Rover trucks.
Landing Ship Logistic
Type "Sir Bedivere"
Displacement: full - 5674 tons ("Sir Lancelot" - 5550 tons), lightly - 3270 tons ("Sir Lancelot" - 3370 tons). Dimensions: 125.1 x 19.6 x 4.3 m.
Powerplant: two 10-cylinder Mirrless 10-ALSSDM diesel engines, 4700 hp each. (two Denny/Sulzer diesel engines of 4760 hp each on the Sir Lancelot). Two propellers. Speed: 17 knots
Cruising range: 8000 miles at 15 knots. Crew: 68 people. Armament: 2x1 40mm Bofors guns. Aviation: aft platform.
Landing capacity: 340 people (maximum - 534), 16 tanks, 34 trucks, 120 tons of fuel and lubricants, 30 tons of ammunition. Can transport up to 20 helicopters.
"Sir Bedivere" (L-3004)
Laid down: October 1965, Hawthorne Leslie, Hebburn-on-Tyne Launched: 20/7/1966 Entered service: 18/5/1967
In the conflict zone since May 18, 1982 (captain P.J. McCarthy).
On May 24, he received a glancing blow from an unexploded bomb dropped by a Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 4th Fighter-Bomber Group.
The ship took part in the Gulf War in 1991. It is currently in service.
"Sir Galahad" (L-3005)
Laid down: February 1965, Alex Stephen, Glasgow Launched: 19.4.1966 Entered service: 17.12.1966
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (captain P.J.G. Roberts).
On May 24, he was hit by an unexploded bomb dropped by a Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 4th Fighter-Bomber Group. Part of the team was evacuated, the bomb was defused. Received minor injuries.
On June 8, during the landing of troops at Bluff Cove, it was attacked by Skyhawk aircraft from the 5th Fighter-Bomber Group. As a result of being hit by two or three bombs, a severe fire broke out. 5 crew members, 32 Welsh Guardsmen and 11 military personnel from other units were killed on the ship. In addition, 11 more crew members and 46 ground forces personnel were injured and severely burned. The burnt-out hull was towed to sea and on June 25, the submarine "Opukh" was sunk.
"Sir Geraint" (L-3027)
Laid down: June 1965, Alex Stephen, Glasgow Launched: 26.1.1967 Entered service: 12.7.1967
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (captain D.E. Lawrence). The ship was transferred to reserve in November 2003.
"Sir Lancelot" (L-3029)
Laid down: March 1962, Fairfield, Glasgow Launched: 25.6.1963 Entered service: 16.1.1964
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (captain CA. Purtcher-Wydenbruck).
On May 24, he was hit on the starboard side by an unexploded 1,000-pound bomb dropped by a Skyhawk attack aircraft from the 4th Fighter-Bomber Group. The ship was brought into shallow water and the crew was evacuated. After clearing the ordnance he returned to active service.
"Sir Lancelot" was transferred to reserve in 1989. In the same year, it was sold to a private company from South Africa and renamed "Lowland Lancer". Served as a transport ship for some time, then as a floating casino
in Cape Town. In 1992, resold to Singapore, renamed Persévérance, and commissioned into the Singapore Navy. Currently in service.
"Sir Percivale" (L-3036)
Laid down: April 1966, Hawthorne Leslie, Hebburn-on-Tyne Launched: 4.10.1967 Entered service: 23.3.1968
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (captain A.F. Pitt).
The ship took part in the Gulf War in 1991. It operated as part of British forces in the Balkans in 1992 - 1994, in Iraq in 2003. Transferred to reserve on 17.8.2004.
"Sir Tristram" (L-3505)
Laid down: February 1966, Hawthorne Leslie, Hebburn-on-Tyne Launched: 12/12/1966 Entered service: 14/9/1967
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (captain G.R. Green).
On June 8, Bluff Cove was attacked by Skyhawk aircraft from the 5th Fighter Bomber Group. Two sailors were killed by fire from onboard weapons. Fortunately, the fuse on the 1,000-pound bomb that pierced the deck did not immediately go off, which made it possible to evacuate the crew. After the bomb exploded, a strong fire broke out and the ship sank in shallow water. After the end of hostilities it was raised and towed to Port Stanley. Later towed to England, underwent repairs and modernization. Returned to service in 1985.
The ship participated in the Gulf War in 1991, in operations in the Balkans and in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Transferred to reserve on 11/17/2005.
Hunt type minesweepers
Displacement: full - 725 tons, standard - 615 tons. Dimensions: 60 x 9.9 x 2.2 m.
Powerplant: two Ruston-Paxman Deltic 9-58K diesel engines, 1770 hp each; auxiliary diesel Ruston-Paxman Deltic 9-55V. Two propellers; bow thruster; the presence of hydraulic systems for movement when searching for mines - stroke 8 knots. Speed: 17 knots
Cruising range: 1500 miles at 12 knots. Crew: 45 people.
Armament: 1x1 40mm Bofors Mk 9 gun.
Electronic equipment:
Radar 1006 - navigation;
GAS 193M - podkilnaya, mine detection;
GAS 2059 - sub-keel, mine detection.
Mining weapons: two PAP 104 underwater vehicles;
acoustic trawl Mk 3 “Osborn”;
electromagnetic trawl MM Mk 2,
contact trawl Mk 8 "Oropesa".
Ship hulls are made of fiberglass, non-magnetic or low-magnetic materials.
"Brecon" (M-29)
Laid down: October 1975, Vosper Thorny croft, Woolston Launched: 21.6.1978 Entered service: 21.3.1980
He arrived in the conflict zone after the end of hostilities and took part in trawling (Commander P.A. Fish).
TSH participated in trawling the Persian Gulf in 1991. In January 2004, she became the first Royal Navy ship to be commanded by a woman (Lieutenant S. Atkinson). Transferred to reserve in 2005
"Ledbury" (M-30)
Laid down: Vosper Thornycroft, Woolston Launched: 12/5/1979 Commissioned: 6/11/1981
He arrived in the conflict zone after the end of hostilities and took part in trawling (Lieutenant Commander A. Rose).
The TSC took part in trawling the Persian Gulf in 1991. It is currently in service.
Requisitioned minesweepers
In the spring of 1982, five trawlers belonging to fishing companies were mobilized, equipped with Mk 8 “Oropesa” contact trawls and Mk 9 “Kite Otter” systems and sent to the conflict zone (commanded by Lieutenant Commander Holloway).
In the Port Stanley area, minesweepers destroyed two minefields laid by the Argentines. After completion of the work they were returned to their original owners.
Requisitioned from J. Marr Trawlers. Displacement -1238 tons.
In the conflict zone since 18.5.1982 (Lieutenant Commander M.C.G. Holloway).
Requisitioned from J. Marr Trawlers." Displacement -1207 t.
In the conflict zone since May 18, 1982 (Lieutenant R.J. Bishop).
Requisitioned from J. MarrTrawlers." Displacement - 1615 tons.
In the conflict zone since 18.5.1982 (Lieutenant Commander M. Rowledge).
Northella
Requisitioned from J. Marr Trawlers." Displacement -1238 tons.
In the conflict zone since 18.5.1982 (Lieutenant Commander J.P.S. Greenop).
"Pict"
Requisitioned from United Trawlers.
Castle-class patrol ships
Displacement - 1478 tons.
In the conflict zone since 18.5.1982 (Lieutenant Commander D.G. Garwood). Total displacement: 1427 tons. Dimensions: 81 x 11.5 x 3.6 m.
Powerplant: two Ruston 12RKC diesel engines, 2820 hp each. Two screws. Speed: 19.5 knots
Cruising range: 10,000 miles at 12 knots.
Crew: 50 people.
Armament: 1x1 30mm AR B MARC;
2x1 7.62 mm L7 machine gun.
Aviation: aft platform for a helicopter.
Electronic equipment:
Radar 994 - detection of surface targets;
Radar 1006 - navigation.
Additional equipment: two 5.4 m high-speed frame-on-inflatable boats “Avon Searider”; room to receive 25 Marines.
Ships can lay mines if necessary.
"Leeds Castle" (P-258)
Laid down: 10/18/1979, Hall Russell Co. Ltd, Aberdeen Launched: 29/10/1980 Entered service: 27/10/1981
During the conflict (Lieutenant Commander C.F.B. Hamilton) was used as a messenger ship. After the end of hostilities, he performed various tasks. For some time he was based in the Falkland Islands. Transferred to reserve 8/8/2005
Dumbarton Castle (P-265)
Laid down: Hall Russell Ltd, Aberdeen Launched: 3/6/1981 Entered service: 26/3/1982
During the conflict (Lt.Cdr. N.D. Wood) was used as a messenger ship. Currently in service.
Ice patrol vessel "Endurance" (A-171)
Total displacement: 3600 tons.
Dimensions: 91.5 x 14 x 5.5 m.
Powerplant: diesel Burmeister & Wain 550 VTBF, 3220 hp.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Cruising range: 12,000 miles at 14.5 knots. Crew: 119 people. Armament: 2x1 20mm Oerlikon guns. Aviation: two Wasp helicopters.
Laid down: 1955, Krogerwerft, Rendsburg Launched: May 1956 Commissioned: December 1956
Originally under the name "Anita Dan" it belonged to the Lauritzen Lines company. Since 20.2.1967 - as part of Royal Navy, refitted at the Harland & WolfF shipyard, renamed. Due to the characteristic color of the hull, the Endurance was unofficially called “Red Plum”. By the beginning of 19Q2, he received orders to return to the metropolis. It was planned to be sold in 1983.
He was in the South Atlantic even before the start of the conflict (Captain N.J. Barker).
After landing the Argentine workers at South Georgia on March 19, he took on board nine marines from the Port Stanley garrison and, together with the 13 marines already on board, sailed for South Georgia on March 21. On March 25, he discovered the landing of a detachment of about 100 people from the Argentine transport Bahia Paraíso. Having landed his marines (22 people) ashore, he headed for the Falklands. After the Marines' battle with the invading forces at Grytviken, the crew of the Endurance planned to attack Argentine ships using their helicopters and anti-aircraft guns. Having received the strictest prohibition from the command, he went to meet with the operational unit.
On April 22, he took part in the landing in Hound Bay on South Georgia. On April 25, his helicopters near Grytviken took part in the attack on the Argentine submarine Santa Fe. After the Argentine surrender on South Georgia on April 26, she remained in the area of the island as a patrol ship. After the end of the war, he participated in the sinking of the Santa Fe at great depths.
After the conflict ended, the sale of Endurance was abandoned. The ship served until 1989, when it collided with an iceberg. After returning to England it was put in for repairs, but an inspection revealed its inappropriateness. Transferred to reserve in 1991, decommissioned.
Fleet tankers
Total displacement: 26,480 tons.
Dimensions: 170.8 x 22 x 9.2 m.
Powerplant: 6-cylinder diesel 1Ch.E. Doxford 9500 hp
Speed: 15.5 knots
Crew: 55 people.
Laid down: voyage #7 Ogubosk, Northumberland Launched: 29.3.1960 Entered service: July 1960
Chartered from W.M Corey & Co. Returned to the owner company in May 1985. Scrapped in Thailand.
"Pearleaf" (A-77)
Displacement: total - 25,790 tons.
Dimensions: 173.2 x 21.9 x 9.2 m.
Powerplant: 6-cylinder diesel Rowan Doxford 8800 hp.
Speed: 16 knots
Crew: 55 people.
Laid down: Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Scotstown Launched: 10/15/1959 Entered into service: January 1960. In the conflict zone from 4/5/1982.
Chartered from London-based Jacobs and Partners Ltd. In 1985, the tanker was returned to the owner company and in 1986 sold to Saudi Arabia.
Displacement: full - 36,000 tons, empty - 10,890 tons. Dimensions: 197.5 x 25.6 x 11.1 m.
Power plant: two Pametrada double expansion steam turbines
13,250 HP, two Babcock & Wilcox boilers.
Speed: 19 knots
Crew: 87 people.
Armament: 1x2 40mm (1x2 20mm) guns.
"Olna" (A-123)
Laid down: Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn Launched: 28/7/1965 Entered service: 1/4/1966
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (Captain J.A. Bailey).
The tanker took part in supplying ships with fuel during the Gulf War in 1991. It was transferred to reserve in August 2000. In March 2001, it was sold to a Turkish company and scrapped.
"Olmeda" (A-124)
Laid down: Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn Launched: 11/19/1964 Entered service: 10/18/1965 Originally named "Oleander"
In the conflict zone since April 25, 1982 (captain G.P. Overbury).
The tanker was transferred to reserve in 1993. Sold to India for scrapping.
Later Tide type
Displacement: full - 27,400 tons, empty - 8531 tons. Dimensions: 177.6 x 21.6 x 9.8 m.
Power plant: two Pametrada double expansion turbines of 7500 hp each,
two Babcock & Wilcox boilers.
Speed: 18.3 knots
Crew: 110 people.
Aviation: four Sea King helicopters.
"Tidespring" (A-75)
Laid down: 24.7.1961, Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn Launched: 3.5.1962 Entered service: 18.1.1963
In the conflict zone since April 17, 1982 (captain S. Redmond).
In addition to performing its main task, during the conflict the tanker was used to house Argentine prisoners of war.
Transferred to reserve on December 13, 1991. Sold to India for scrap.
"Tidepool" (A-76)
Laid down: 12/4/1961, Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn Launched: 12/11/1962 \ Commissioned: 6/8/1963
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (captain J. McCullough).
By the time the war began, Tidepool was already on its way to Chile to complete a sales contract, but was again temporarily returned to the RFA.
Transferred to reserve on August 13, 1982. Sold to Chile.
Type "Rover"
Displacement: full - 11,522 tons, empty - 4,700 tons. Dimensions: 140.6 x 19.2 x 7.3 m.
Powerplant: two 16-cylinder Pielstick diesel engines with 7680 hp each. One propeller shaft.
Speed: 19 knots
Cruising range: 15,000 miles at 15 knots. Crew: 47 people. Armament: 2x1 20mm Oerlikon guns. Aviation: Sea King helicopter.
"Blue Rover" (A-270)
Laid down: Swan Hunter, Hebburn-on-Tyne Launched: 11/11/1969 Entered service: 15/7/1970
In the conflict zone since May 2, 1982 (captain D.A. Reynolds).
In March 1993, TN was sold to Portugal and renamed Berrio.
Appleleaf type
Total displacement: 40,200 tons. Dimensions: 170.7 x 25.9 x 11.9 m.
Powerplant: two 14-cylinder diesel engines Pielstick 14 RS2.2 V 400, 7000 hp each.
One propeller shaft.
Speed: 16 knots
Crew: 56 people.
Armament: 2x1 20mm Oerlikon guns;
4x1 7.62 mm machine gun.
"Appleleaf" (A-79)
Laid down: 1974, Cammell Laird, Birkenhead Launched: 24/7/1975 Entered service: November 1979
During the conflict, the tanker was commanded by Captain G. McDougall.
Sold to Australia 9/10/1989, renamed HMAS "Westralia". Currently in service.
"Brambleleaf" (A-81)
Laid down: Cammell Laird, Birkenhead Launched: 22.1.1976 Entered service: 6.5.1980
During the conflict, the ship was commanded by Captain M.S.J. Farley.
Currently in service.
"Bay leaf" (A-109)
Laid down: Blyth Drydock, Northumberland Launched: 10/27/1981 Commissioned: 3/26/1982
In the conflict zone since June 9, 1982 (captain A.E.T. Hunter).
Currently in service.
Mobilized tankers
Displacement: 57,732 tons. Speed: 16 knots.
Chartered from Finance for Shipping Ltd. Located near Ascension Island. Did not enter the conflict zone (A. Lazenby).
"Anco Charger"
Displacement: 25,300 tons. Speed: 15.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 15, 1982 (V. Hartón).
Chartered from R&O.
Balder London
Displacement: 33,751 tons. Speed: 16.2 knots.
Chartered from Llyods of London (K.J. Wallace). On May 2, 1984, it became part of the auxiliary fleet under the name "Orangeleaf" (A-110). Currently in service.
"British Avon"
Displacement: 25,620 tons. Speed: 15.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since 7.5.1982 (J.W.M. Guy).
Chartered from British Petroleum. On May 25, he took on board the Argentine officer Alfredo Astiz, notorious as a participant in the repressions against dissidents, who was captured at South Georgia. Returned to Portsmouth on 5 June.
"British Dart"
Displacement: 25,651 tons. Speed: 15.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 14, 1982 (JAM. Taylor).
Chartered from British Petroleum*.
Displacement: 29,900 tons. Speed: 14.7 knots.
In the conflict zone since April 22, 1982 (G. Barber).
Chartered from British Petroleum. Delivered the crew of the deceased EM Sheffield to Ascension Island.
British Tatag»
Displacement: 25,500 tons. Speed: 14.7 knots. Chartered from British Petroleum* (D.O.W. Jones).
((British Tau"
Displacement: 25,000 tons. Speed: 14.7 knots.
In the conflict zone since April 23, 1982 (R.T. Morris).
Chartered from the company ((British Petroleum). After the attack ((Atlantic Conveyor * on May 25, took on board the surviving crew members (133 people) and delivered them to Ascension Island.
Displacement: 25,640t. Speed: 14.7 knots
In the conflict zone since May 21, 1982 (I.A. Oliphant).
Chartered from the company ((British Petroleum*. Delivered the crew of the landing ship "Sir Galahad" to Ascension Island.
Displacement: 25,147 tons. Speed: 15.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 5, 1982 (PR. Waller).
Chartered from the company ((British Petroleum). Took on board the crew of the landing ship "Sir Tristram" (101 people) and delivered them to Ascension Island.
Displacement: 25,196 tons. Speed: 15.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 25, 1982 (D.M. Rundle).
Chartered from (British Petroleum). On May 29, while several hundred miles from the Falkland Islands and 830 miles east of Buenos Aires, it was attacked by an Argentine C-130 Hercules aircraft. One of the eight bombs dropped hit the ship , but bounced off the hull and fell into the sea, causing minor damage.
"Ebirpa"
Displacement: 31,374 tons. Speed: 14.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 27, 1982 (J.C. Beaumont).
Chartered from Shell.
Displacement: 30,607 tons. Speed: 15kt. Chartered from Canadian Pacific (E.S. Metham).
Displacement: 56,490 tons. Speed: 16.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since 10.6.1982 (A. Terras).
Chartered from King Line.
Troop transports
"Capberry"
Tonnage: 44,807 brt. Dimensions: 249.9 31.2 x 10 m.
Powerplant: turbo-electric; two British Thompson Houston (AEI) three-phase air-cooled electric motors, a steam turbine, four auxiliary steam turbines. Two screws. Speed: 23.5 knots Crew: 795 people.
Laid down: 23.9.1957, Harland & Wolff, Belfast Launched: 16.3.1960 Entered service: 2.6.1961
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (captain D.J. Scott-Masson).
Requisitioned by the Ministry of Defense from R&O on 4 April 1982. Sailed from Southampton on 9 April after installing helipads and medical equipment. There were 2,400 military personnel on board. On May 21, they landed in San Carlos. On May 27, in South Georgia, he took on board the personnel of the 5th Infantry Brigade from Queen Elizabeth 2 (landing in San Carlos on June 2).
After June 14, he simultaneously transported 4,400 Argentine prisoners of war to Puerto Madryn (Patagonia). Returned to Southampton on 11 July with troops of the 3rd Brigade on board. During the conflict, he received the nickname "Great White Whale".
After the end of hostilities, it was returned to the owner. Last voyage - from October 10 to October 31, 1997. Dismantled for metal in Pakistan.
"Queen Elizabeth II"
Tonnage: 70,327 grt. Dimensions: 293.5 x 32 x 9.9 m.
Power plant: initially steam turbine (replaced by diesel-electric in 1986). Speed: 32.5 knots Crew: 1015 people.
Armament: for air defense needs, it was planned to use the machine guns and MANPADS available to the troops transported on the liner. Places were determined for their placement, and personnel were allocated.
Laid down: 5/6/1965, John Brown Shipyard, Clydebank Launched: 20/9/1967.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain took part in the ceremony. She used the same golden scissors that her mother and grandmother used to lower Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary respectively. Entered service: 2.5.1969
In the conflict zone since May 23, 1982 (Captain R. Jackson).
Requisitioned by the Ministry of Defense from Cunard Line on 4 May at Southampton. The number of passengers accepted increased by 1000 and reached 3150 people. On May 12, he headed for the South Atlantic with soldiers of the 5th Infantry Brigade on board. On May 27, in South Georgia, personnel and ammunition were transferred to the Canberra and Norland transports. Left South Georgia on May 29, bringing home the crew members of the sunken ships Antelope, Ardent and Coventry. Welcoming Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother aboard the Royal Yacht
After the end of hostilities, it was returned to the owner. Currently used as a passenger liner.
Displacement: 13,000 tons. Speed: 19 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (D.A. Ellerby).
Requisitioned from R&O on 17 April. Refitted in Portsmouth 22 - 25 April. Took on board military personnel of the 2nd Parachute Regiment. Participated in the landing on May 21. After the end of hostilities, he transported Argentine prisoners of war.
"Baltic Ferry"
In the conflict zone since May 25, 1982 (E. Harrison).
"Nordic Ferry"
Displacement: 6455 tons. Speed: 17 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 25, 1982 (R. Jenkins).
Requisitioned from Townsend Thorsen. Transported personnel of the 5th Infantry Brigade, as well as ammunition.
Displacement: 9000 tons. Speed: 21 knots.
In the conflict zone since June 7, 1982 (M.J. Stockman).
Requisitioned from Sealink. Transported military personnel of the 5th Infantry Brigade and the Air Force. In February 1983, it was acquired by the Ministry of Defense and became part of Royal Navy as HMS Kegep.
Displacement: 9387 tons. Speed: 21 knots.
In the conflict zone - from the beginning of July 1982.
Air transport
"Atlantic Conveyor"
Displacement: 14,946 tons. Speed: 22 knots. In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (I. North).
Requisitioned by the Ministry of Defense from Cunard Container on 14 April at Liverpool. Converted at Devonport Naval Base, with runway equipment installed on the upper deck. Equipped for aircraft repair.
Left port on 25 April with five No. 18 Squadron RAF Chinooks and six No. 848 Squadron FAA Wessex helicopters on board. Upon arrival at Ascension Island, he received eight Sea Harrier fighters from the FAA 809 Squadron and six Harrier GR.3, one of the Chinook helicopters was removed.
On May 25, while 90 miles northeast of Port Stanley, along with aircraft carriers, it was attacked by two Argentine Super Etendard aircraft from the 2nd Fighter Attack Squadron. At approximately 16 and South from a distance of 30 miles, they fired two Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles at the ship, one of which hit the target. As a result of the explosion and subsequent fire, 12 people were killed, including the captain. Three Chinook, six Wessex and one Lynx helicopters from 815 Squadron were destroyed. An attempt was made to tow the damaged vessel, but the Atlantic Conveyor sank during towing on May 28.
British and Argentine versions of events differ. The Argentine version says that the command knew about the role of the converted container ship and it was one of the priority targets, and two missiles hit the ship. The British indicate that the main task for the Super Etendard was aircraft carriers, but the escort ships were able to jam and disorient the missile homing heads. However, after leaving the interference field, the “head” of one of the anti-ship missiles captured a large target, which turned out to be the Atlantic Conveyor.
Atlantic Causeway
Displacement: 14,946 tons. Speed: 22 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 25, 1982 (M.N.S. Twomey).
A container ship of the same type as the Atlantic Conveyor. Requisitioned from Cunard Container. Converted to air transport.
"Contender Bezant"
Displacement: 11,445 tons. Speed: 19 knots.
In the conflict zone since June 7, 1982 (A. MacKinnon).
Container ship requisitioned from Sea Containers Ltd. Converted to air transport.
Displacement: 27,870 tons. Speed: 22 knots.
In the conflict zone since June 25, 1982 (H.S. Braden).
Requisitioned on May 29. Converted at Devonport to transport and repair helicopters. Installed 2x1 20mm AU.
22.4.1983 chartered by the Ministry of Defense, became part of Royal Navy, renamed "Reliant".
Supply vessels
Displacement: 11,804 tons. Speed: 18 knots.
In the conflict zone since 05/21/1982 (H.R. Lawton).
Chartered from China Mutual Steamship.
Displacement: 12,030 tons. Speed: 23.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 20, 1982 (N. Evans).
Requisitioned from Cunard.
Displacement: 5463 t Speed: 18.5 knots
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (J.P. Morton).
Requisitioned from R&O. Installed 2x1 40mm Bofors guns.
Europic Ferry
Displacement: 4190 tons. Speed: 19.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since 13.5.1982 (W.J.C. Clarke).
Requisitioned from Townsend Thorsen.
"Tor Caledonia"
Displacement: 5060 tons. Speed: 18.5 knots. In the conflict zone since 6/6/1982 (A. Scott).
Requisitioned from Whitwill. On June 28, she ran aground during a storm. It did not suffer any serious damage and was refloated on the same day.
Displacement: 12,600 tons. Speed: 18 knots. In the conflict zone since July 15, 1982.
Supply transports
Regent type
Total displacement: 22,890 tons. Dimensions: 195.1 x 23.5 x 8 m.
Power plant: two AEI steam turbines of 10,000 hp each, two Foster boilers
Speed: 21 knots
Crew: 119 RFA, 52 RN civil servants; helicopter team from the RN.
Armament: platforms for installing 2x1 40-mm Bofors guns are equipped.
Aviation: two Sea King helicopters (maximum 4).
"Regent" (A-486)
Laid down: 4.9.1964, Harland & Wolff, Belfast Launched: 3.9.1966 Entered service: 6.6.1967
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (captain J. Logan).
TP was involved in supplying British forces in Bosnia from 1992 to 1994. Transferred to reserve in 1997. Sold for scrapping in India.
"Resource" (A-480)
Laid down: 7/19/1964, Scotts Shipbuilding & Eng Co, Greencock Launched: 2/11/1966 Entered into service: 5/6/1967
In the conflict zone from April 25, 19812 (captain V.A. Seymour).
"Resource" became one of the first ships to assist the crew of the HM "Sheffield" - it was nearby at the time of the attack (having finished reloading supplies).
Withdrew from the fleet after 2002.
Fort Grange type
Displacement: total - 23,484 tons.
Dimensions: 183.9 x 24.1 x 9 m.
Powerplant: 8-cylinder diesel Sulzer 8RND90 23,200 hp.
Speed: 22 knots
Cruising range: 10,000 miles at 20 knots.
Crew: 114 from RFA, 36 from Naval Transport Service
(Royal Navy Supply and Transport Service), 45 - from the FAA.
Armament: 2x1 20-mm gun "Oerlikon" GAM-B01;
4x1 7.62 mm machine gun.
Aviation: one Sea King helicopter (maximum -4).
"Fort Austin" (A-386)
Laid down: 12/9/1975, Scott-Lithgow, Greencock Launched: 3/9/1978 Commissioned: 5/11/1979
In the conflict zone since April 26, 1982 (Commander S.C. Dunlop).
The TP is currently in service.
"Fort Grange" (A-385)
Laid down: 9.11.1973, Scott-Lithgow, Greencock Launched: 9.12.1976 Entered service: 6.4.1978
In the conflict zone since May 26, 1982 (captain D.G.M. Averill).
In 1997 - 2000 TP took part in operations in the Balkans. In May 2000, renamed Fort Rosalie (A-385). Currently in service.
Displacement: full - 16,792 tons (normal 14,000 tons), light weight - 9010 tons.
Dimensions: 159.7 x 22 x 6.7 m.
Powerplant: 8-cylinder diesel Wallsend-Sulzer RD76; 11,520 hp Speed: 18 knots
Cruising range: 12,000 miles at 16 knots. Crew: 151 people. Aviation: Sea King helicopter.
"Stromness" (A-344)
Laid down: 1.10.1965, Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-on-Tyne Launched: 1.9.1966 Entered service: 10.8.1967
In the conflict zone since May 13, 1982 (captain J.B. Dickinson).
TP sold to USA 10/1/1983, renamed Saturn, assigned to Military Sealift Command. Currently in service.
Helicopter Support Ship Engadine (K-08)
Total displacement: 9000 tons. Dimensions: 129.3 x 17.8 x 6.7 m.
Powerplant: 5-cylinder diesel Sulzer RD68 with turbocharging, 5500 hp. Speed: 14.5 knots
Crew: 63 RFA, 14 RN (facilities available for
accommodating another 114 RN personnel).
Aviation: four Wessex helicopters, two Wasp or Sea King helicopters.
Laid down: 18/8/1964, Henry Robb Ltd., Leith Launched: 9/8/1965 Entered service: 15/9/1966
In the conflict zone since June 2, 1982. (Captain D.F. Freeman).
Used as a repair vessel.
Transferred to reserve in 1989. Sold to India for scrapping in 1996.
Royal Naval Auxiliary Service vessels
Later Wild Duck type rescue vessel
Displacement: full - 1622 tons, empty - 941 tons. Dimensions: 60.2 x 12.2 x 4.2 m.
Powerplant: 16-cylinder Davey Paxman diesel 750 hp. One shaft. Speed: 10.8 knots
Cruising range: 3260 miles at 9.5 knots. Crew: 26 people.
Armament: adapted to install 1x2 40mm guns.
"Goosander" (A-94)
Mortgage: Robb Caledon Ltd. Launched: 12.4.1973 Entered service: 10.9.1973
The ship, commanded by A. MacGregor, was quite actively used in the combat area.
Tug "Turpoop" (A-95)
Displacement: full - 1380 tons, standard - 800 tons. Dimensions: 61 x 13 x 4 m.
Powerplant: two Vee turbocharged diesel engines with 1,375 hp each. Speed: 16 knots
Laid down: Henry Robb & Co Ltd, Leith Launched: 10/14/1958 Entered service: 1960 During the conflict, the ship was commanded by J.N. Morris.
Mobilized auxiliary vessels Tugs (Irishman)
In the conflict zone since May 9, 1982 (W. Allen).
Participated in the rescue of the landing ship Sir Tristram and the Argentine transport Bahia Buen Suceso.
"Yorkshireman"
Displacement: 689 tons. Speed: 14 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 9, 1982 (P. Rimmer).
Ocean tug, requisitioned from United Towing.
Same type as Irishman. On May 27, they jointly tried to tow the Atlantic Conveyor container ship damaged by Argentine aviation. however, while being towed on 28 May, the heavily damaged ship sank.
Displacement: 1598 t Speed: 17.5 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 2, 1982 (A.J. Stockwell).
Ocean tug, requisitioned from United Towing.
From June 28 to July 15, together with Yorkshireman and Endurance, he participated in work to restore the buoyancy of the Santa Fe submarine.
Cable ship "Iris"
Displacement: 3843 tons. Dimensions: 97.2 x 15 x 5.5 m. Speed: 15 knots. Laid down in 1973. Entered into service in 1976.
In the conflict zone since May 21, 1982 (captain A. Fulton).
Chartered from British Telecom, it was not used for its intended purpose, but as a “servant for everything.”
Further fate: dismantled for metal in 2003.
Vessels for servicing oil production platforms
British Enterprise III
Displacement -1600 tons.
Requisitioned from BUE North-sea (D. Grant)
"Stena Seaspread"
Displacement: 6061 tons. Speed: 16 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 8, 1982 (N. Williams).
Requisitioned from Stena North-Sea. Used as a repair vessel.
"Stena Inspector"
In the conflict zone since May 25, 1982 (D. Ede).
Requisitioned from Stena North-Sea.
After the end of the conflict, it was purchased from the owner company. Rebuilt into a transport and repair vessel and on 03/12/1984 enlisted in the auxiliary forces of the Navy under the name “Diligence”. It has the following performance characteristics: Displacement: total - 10,765 tons. Dimensions: 112 x 20.5 x 6.8 m.
Power plant: diesel-electric; five Nohab-Polar diesel generators; four NEBB electric motors. One propeller; thrusters. Speed: 12 knots
Cruising range: 5000 miles at 12 knots.
Crew: 38 people (can accommodate another 147 people and an additional 55 for a short time). Armament: 4x1 20mm Oerlikon guns; 4 X 7.62 mm machine guns.
Aviation: a site that allows you to receive any helicopters (up to the CH-47 Chinook). Currently in service.
Minesweeper floating base “St. Helena"
Displacement: 3150 tons.
Supply transport. Requisitioned from United International Bank Ltd. During the conflict, the ship was commanded by M.L.M. Smith.
Refrigerators
"Avelona Star"
Displacement: 9784 tons. Speed: 24 knots.
Chartered 28 May 1982. At Portsmouth equipped for passage to the South Atlantic. During the conflict, the ship was commanded by N. Dyer.
Displacement: 7730 tons. Speed: 19 knots. In the conflict zone since 6/6/1982 (G.F. Foster).
Supply transport "Laertes"
Displacement: 11,804 tons. Speed: 18 knots.
Requisitioned 28 May 1982. At Devonport equipped for passage to the South Atlantic, work completed 8 June. Arrived at the Falkland Islands in early July (HT. Reid).
Lighter "Wimpey Seahorse"
Displacement: 1598 tons. Speed: 15 knots.
In the conflict zone since June 2, 1982 (M.J. Slack).
Requisitioned from Wimpey Marine.
Water tanker "Fort Toronto"
Displacement: 31,400 tons. Speed: 15 knots.
In the conflict zone since May 12, 1982 (R.I. Kinnier).
Chartered from Canadian Pacific.
Hospital ships "Uganda"
Displacement: 16,907 tons. Dimensions: 164.6 x 21.7 x 8.4 m.
Power plant: six Parsons steam turbines (2x3), three Babcock & Wilcox boilers. Two propellers. Speed: 16 knots
Laid down: Barclay Curie & Company, Gazgo Launched: 15.1.1952 Entered service: 2.8.1952
Passenger liner, requisitioned on April 10, 1982 from P&O Lines Ltd. Converted into a hospital ship, which arrived in the combat area on May 8, 1982 (J.G. Clark). On July 13, it was removed from the hospital ships. On September 25, Uganda was returned to the owner company. In November 1982, chartered by the Ministry of Defense to transport cargo between Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands. On April 27, 1985 the contract was completed.
On July 15, 1986, the ship arrived in Taiwan for dismantling for metal by An Hsiung Iron and Steel Co Ltd. 8/22/1986 washed ashore by Typhoon Wayne. By 1993 it remained undismantled.
In April 1982, the hydrographic survey ships Hydra, Hecla and Herald were converted into hospital ships. During the conflict, the wounded were transported from the base hospital ship "Uganda" to Montevideo, from where they were then delivered transport aircraft Air Force VC-10 to England.
Hydrographic vessels of the Hecla type
Displacement: full - 2733 tons, standard - 1915 tons. Dimensions: 79.3 x 15 x 4.7 m.
Power plant: diesel-electric; three 12-cylinder Paxman Ventura turbocharged diesel engines with 1280 hp each, one hydroelectric engine with 2000 hp. One propeller shaft. Speed: 14 knots
Crew: 127 people.
"Hecla" (A-133)
Laid down: 6.5.1964, Yarrow & Co, Blytheswood Launched: 21.12.1964 Entered service: 9.9.1965
In the conflict zone since May 9, 1982 (captain G.L. Nore).
In 1997 transferred to reserve.
"Hydra" (A-144)
Laid down: 14.5.1964, Yarrow & Co, Blytheswood Launched: 14.7.1965 Entered service: 5.5.1966
In the conflict zone since May 14, 1982 (Commander R.J. Campbell).
18.4.1986 sold to Indonesia, renamed "Dewa Kembar". Currently in service.
Hydrographic vessel "Improved Hecla" type
Displacement: full - 2945 tons, standard - 2000 tons. Dimensions: 79.3 x 15 x 4.7 m.
Power plant: diesel-electric; three 12-cylinder Paxman YJCZ turbocharged diesel engines, one 2000 hp engine. One propeller shaft. Speed: 14 knots
Cruising range: 12,000 miles at 11 knots.
Crew: 128 people.
Aviation: one Wasp helicopter.
Landing craft: two 35-foot motor boats.
Her Majesty's Navy is not only far from the image of the “master of the seas” of the times of the British Empire, but also does not correspond to modern threats. The British Parliament is sounding the alarm: the Navy will soon have “negligible” warships left. Is the once strongest fleet in the world really in a deplorable state?
Britain's Royal Navy was criticized for the ships. According to the head of the British parliamentary defense committee, Julian Lewis, the Ministry of Defense risks leaving the country with fewer than 19 destroyers and frigates.
“Britain plans to build aircraft carriers for its fleet - they have not lost their ambitions, but, as always, there is not enough money”
Reducing this number by even one unit, even for a short period, would be “completely unacceptable” and would leave the UK vulnerable to external threats, the parliamentarian quoted by London’s The Guardian stressed. "We are notifying the Department of Defense that they must not allow this to happen," Lewis said.
London identifies one of the threats quite unambiguously. In January this year, Rear Admiral John Weale, Commander of Her Majesty's Submarine Fleet, told The Daily Telegraph: “The evidence suggests that Russia is building a new class of submarines. This should cause concern in the UK and prompt defense of its deterrent.” According to the British admiral, nuclear deterrent is necessary to ensure the security of the kingdom, they are “insurance” against a threat that can only be countered in this way.
More recently, alarmist statements were made from a higher level. On October 29, British Minister of State for Defense Mike Penning said: Moscow could send a naval group of the Russian Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, across the English Channel. Despite its age, Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which sailed along the coast of Great Britain, makes an impression, but the British Navy does not have such a ship at its disposal, Sky News stated then.
What worries London the most?
Without "Harpoons"
Thirteen Royal Navy ships will be decommissioned between 2023 and 2035, according to the head of Parliament's defense committee, Julian Lewis. There is still uncertainty about plans to replace aging ships by 2035, The Guardian emphasizes, citing parliamentarians.
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Let us add that just recently, on November 15, the British media reported that the kingdom intends to decommission the Harpoon anti-ship missiles by 2018. There is no clear program for replacing them yet, so the Royal Navy in 2018 risks being left without any missiles capable of attacking enemy ships, warned the British military portal IHS Jane's 360.
Recutting and freezing
This is not about the recent initiatives of David Cameron’s cabinet, which were “inherited” to Theresa May’s government. There has been a long-established trend.
Back in 2009, due to a budget deficit, the UK began to refuse to build new large-scale facilities; in particular, there was not enough money for the construction of the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier; instead, the government decided to “reshape” it into an amphibious force ship. Several other projects were frozen. This saved the country billions of pounds.
However, as the media noted, even those aircraft carriers that escaped the fate of freezing run the risk of remaining “de-energized iron cargo.” Due to a billion dollar shortfall in defense funding, the power cables at the Portsmouth base, which have been in operation for eighty years, do not match the ship's capacity.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has allocated £6 billion to build a new generation of aircraft carriers.
The Department of Defense hopes to partially alleviate the problem by selling 25% of defense assets between now and 2040, but the audit office says that money will not be enough to cover skyrocketing costs.
Will NATO help?
The reduction in arms does not mean that the British government has become less concerned about the country's security. In mid-November, British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon, at a meeting in Brussels, called on NATO allies to increase defense spending after the US presidential election.
“The Americans used to say that they would continue to contribute more than other NATO members. If the new administration says you need to be on your guard, it will make you think,” Fallon said, as quoted by The Telegraph. He recalled that “Europe also faces great security challenges.”
As Franz Klintsevich, the first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, noted in a comment to the newspaper VZGLYAD, since the NATO budget is still supported by US contributions, and the rest of the Western countries simply understand that there is a country that reliably ensures the interests of the alliance, the logic applies: “ You can get political dividends without inflating the military budget, and sometimes even reducing it.” “Today they began to whip up this hysteria against the backdrop of Russophobia,” states Klintsevich.
“Many people have relaxed”
Britain has always been a maritime power, while Russia for a long time was in a state of “absence of any armed forces,” notes Senator Klintsevich. As a result, “many people relaxed: Great Britain, Germany, and France.”
Only in the last 25 years has Russia rearmed itself, modern armed forces, new ships, decent combat training appeared - so, over the past and this year, about 3 thousand exercises were held, and before there were only a few of them, the senator stated.In essence, “Russia has begun to engage in the armed forces as required by combat training plans,” he noted. However, many said that Russia was beginning to escalate the global situation. At the same time, in order to conduct a war of conquest, too many conditions are needed: the investment of funds, and another organizational and staffing form of the armed forces, their mobilization, the interlocutor adds. Intelligence reveals such signs at one moment, and it immediately becomes clear that the country is preparing for something, Klintsevich said.
In fact, the West, especially the Americans, “were most outraged that Russia could afford to say “no” under the current conditions and carry out a modern, high-tech operation,” the senator noted. The Americans have already set a trend: it is necessary to increase the allocation of funds for armaments, but there is not enough money, now there is a crisis, the interlocutor adds.
“The best and most reliable thing is the Russian threat, a weak navy, an out-of-date army and that “we need to defend ourselves!” The logic of those who represent the military-industrial complex, the military lobby, is clear,” the senator noted. Most likely, they will succeed and get money, he added. “Today Russia is the most convenient tool for solving both domestic and geopolitical problems that are being solved by the leading world powers. This trend will continue,” Klintsevich concluded.
Ambition and lack of ammunition
The number of ships must be estimated based on the tasks set for the fleet, military expert and editor-in-chief of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Viktor Murakhovsky told the VZGLYAD newspaper. “The military-political leadership of Britain sets big goals, including presence in the Pacific region and so on. Of course, the number of ships is insufficient for such tasks,” the expert emphasized.
Meanwhile, “Britain plans to build aircraft carriers for its fleet - they have not lost their ambitions, but, as always, there is not enough money,” the interlocutor stated. At the same time, there is also not enough money to maintain the current existing ships in combat-ready condition. They are forced to remove obsolete weapons systems from supply, for example, the same Harpoon missiles. And weapons to replace them will appear only after 2020, the interlocutor pointed out.
For maintenance and repair of some ships, Britain is now forced to invite French specialists, because there are few of them with British citizenship.
However, “they have great ambitions,” Murakhovsky emphasized. He recalled that the operation in Libya was carried out with the support and major contribution of the British Navy. “Given the scale of the country’s budget, we need to somehow moderate our military ambitions and stretch our legs according to clothes,” the expert concluded.
Enough to protect against illegal immigrants and terrorists
Captain of the first rank of the reserve, chairman of the All-Russian Fleet Support Movement Mikhail Nenashev, in turn, believes that the English fleet still poses a serious threat to Russia in the event of a conflict, especially in the mid- and northern Atlantic.
“They have about thirty ships, which is completely enough taking into account modernization. In addition, the British fleet has several nuclear submarines, including those armed with ballistic missiles, as well as surface forces with real potential,” the expert told the VZGLYAD newspaper. In his opinion, stories about the deplorable state of the fleet appearing in the English press are part of the battle over the military budget being waged with parliament and with English taxpayers.
The expert also believes that, despite the fact that in London they like to make mountains out of molehills, as was the case when the Russian squadron led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov passed near the borders of Great Britain, no one is going to attack them. “To protect against terrorists or illegal immigrants, the forces that the UK has are more than enough,” he explained.
Long before Emperor Peter “cut a window” to the Baltic and laid the foundations of the Russian navy, “mistress of the seas” England had already ruled the waves across the globe for centuries. The prerequisites for this were both the special, island location of Great Britain and the geopolitical necessity in the fight against powerful European powers - Spain, France, Portugal.
Start
The first serious ships of Britain can be considered the triremes and diremes of the Roman Empire, which approached the issue of shipbuilding as seriously as everything else - its sailing and rowing ships were the pinnacle of technology of that time. After the departure of the Romans and the formation of many different kingdoms on the territory of the British Isles, the British ships significantly lost in all components - tonnage, technology and quantity.
The impetus for the emergence of more advanced ships was the raids of the Scandinavians - ferocious Vikings on fast and maneuverable longships carried out devastating raids on coastal churches and cities. The construction of a large patrol fleet allowed the British to significantly reduce losses from the invasions.
The next stage in the formation of the British navy was the invasion of William the Conqueror and the formation of a unitary state, England. From this time on it is worth talking about the appearance of the English fleet.
English Royal Navy
The official history of the Royal Navy of England should begin with Henry VII, who increased the British fleet from 5 to 30 ships. Until the end of the 16th century, the British did not find any special laurels at sea, but after the victory over the Spanish “Invincible Armada” and a series of other victories, the situation with the naval lead from the European flagships (Spain and France) began to level out.
Corsairs and pirates - two sides of the same coin
In the history of the British Navy, a special and controversial line is worth noting the activities of the famous English corsairs, the most famous of whom were Henry Morgan. Despite his openly predatory “main activity,” the first of them was knighted and defeated the Spaniards, and the second added another diamond to the English crown - the Caribbean archipelago.
British Navy
The official history of the British Navy (there are discrepancies related to the presence of the fleets of England and Scotland before 1707, when they were unified) begins in the mid-17th century. From that time on, the British began to win fewer and fewer defeats in naval battles, gradually gaining fame as the strongest naval power. The peak of English supremacy on the waves occurred during the Napoleonic Wars. They also became a moment of glory for sailing ships, which by that moment had reached their technological ceiling.
The end of the Napoleonic Wars elevated the British Royal Navy to the pedestal of the strongest fleet in the world. In the 19th century, the British were the first to replace wood and sails with iron and steam. Despite the fact that the British Navy was practically not involved in major battles, it was considered very prestigious, and attention to maintaining the strength and combat readiness of the naval forces was a high priority. The seriousness of the British attitude to their advantage in the world's oceans is evidenced by the fact that the unspoken doctrine prescribed maintaining the following balance of forces: the British Navy had to be stronger than any two navies combined.
World War I: Grand Fleet vs. High Seas Fleet
The British Navy in the First World War did not prove itself as bright as one might have expected before it began: the Grand Fleet, whose main task was the defeat of the German High Seas Fleet, did not cope with its task - its losses were significantly greater than those of the Germans. Despite this, Great Britain's shipbuilding capacity was so great that it retained its advantage, forcing Germany to abandon the tactics of large battles and switch to raider tactics using mobile submarine formations.
The creation of two, without exaggeration, epoch-making warships, which became the founders of entire trends in shipbuilding, dates back to this time. The first was HMS Dreadnought - a new type of battleship with powerful weapons and a steam turbine unit, allowing it to develop a fantastic speed of 21 knots at that time. The second was HMS Ark Royal, an aircraft carrier that served in the British Navy until 1944.
Despite all the losses of the First World War, by the end of it, Great Britain had a huge fleet on its balance sheet, which hung like a heavy burden on a leaky budget. Therefore, the Washington Agreement of 1922, which limited the number of sailing personnel in each class of ships, became a real salvation for the islanders.
World War II: working on mistakes
At the beginning of World War II, the Royal Navy of Great Britain had twenty-two large-tonnage and aircraft carriers), 66 cruising-class ships, almost two hundred destroyers and sixty submarines, not counting those under construction. These forces exceeded those available to Germany and its allies several times, which allowed the British to hope for a favorable outcome of naval battles.
The Germans, well aware of the superiority of the British, did not get involved in direct clashes with the powerful Allied squadrons, but took up guerrilla warfare. A special role in this was played by submarines, of which the Third Reich riveted almost a thousand!
Karl Doenitz, the “underwater Guderian,” developed the “wolf pack” tactics, which involved attacking convoys and “bite and bounce” attacks. And at first, the flying squads of German submarines brought the British into a state of shock - the debut of military operations in the North Atlantic was marked by a staggering number of losses in both the merchant and navy of Great Britain.
An additional favorable factor for Germany was the fact that the British Navy bases in 1941 had significantly lost in number and quality - the defeat of France and the capture of Belgium and Holland dealt a sensitive blow to the plans of the islanders. Well, Germany got the opportunity to effectively use small submarines with a short autonomous navigation time.
The situation was turned around by deciphering the codes of German submariners, creating new system convoys, building a sufficient number of specialized convoy ships, as well as air support. Britain's further successes at sea were associated both with the enormous shipbuilding capacity (the British built ships faster than the Germans sank them) and with the successes of the Allies on land. Italy's withdrawal from the war deprived Germany of its Mediterranean military bases, and the Battle of the Atlantic was won.
Falklands: conflict of interest
In the post-war period, British Navy ships seriously became involved with Argentina. Despite the unofficial nature of the conflict, the islanders' losses amounted to several hundred people, several ships and a dozen fighters. Of course, Britain, which had an order of magnitude superior naval power, easily achieved the restoration of control over the Falklands.
Cold War
The main arms race took place not with old adversaries - Japan or Germany, but with a recent bloc ally - the Soviet Union. The Cold War could turn hot at any moment, and therefore the British Navy remained on high alert. The placement of naval bases, the development and commissioning of new ships, including submarines with nuclear weapons - all this was accomplished by the British already at the rank of number two. The main confrontation unfolded between two titans - the Soviet Union and the United States.
British Navy today
Today it is considered the largest in the Old World and is included (on a rotational basis) in the NATO Navy formations. Aircraft carriers and missile cruisers with the ability to carry nuclear warheads are the main striking force of the Navy at present: 64 ships, of which 12 are submarines, 2 aircraft carriers, 6 destroyers, 13 frigate-class ships, three landing ships, 16 minesweepers, and twenty patrol boats and patrol boats. Another auxiliary ship, Fort George, is considered military rather conditionally.
The flagship is the aircraft carrier "Bulwark" - a multifunctional ship that performs not only the tasks of basing carrier-based aircraft, but also landing functions (transporting up to 250 marines and landing equipment). "Bulwark" was built in 2001 and put into operation in 2005.
The main surface force is the Norfolk series frigates, named after the English dukes, and the underwater force is the Vanguard series SSBNs, equipped with nuclear missiles. The fleet is based in Plymouth, Clyde and Portsmouth, with the Plymouth base of Devonport serving in this role since 1588! At that time, ships were hiding in it, waiting for that same Spanish “Invincible Armada”. It is also the only one where ships with nuclear engines are repaired.
The disposal of British Navy ships of the SSBN class (nuclear submarines) is not carried out - the islanders do not have such a technological capability. Therefore, submarines that have spent their operational life are simply preserved until better times.
The passage of a Russian missile cruiser near British territorial waters in 2013 shocked not only ordinary people, but also the country's navy. Russian Navy off the coast of Great Britain! Despite the status of a naval power, the British had difficulty finding a ship comparable in class and capable of moving towards the Russian cruiser.
The British took the lead in creating two naval battles that changed the face of the sea for many years: the dreadnought - a powerful and fast warship, superior to its rivals in both maneuverability and salvo power, as well as the aircraft carrier - a ship that today is the main force of all navies large countries.
Finally
What has changed in the English fleet from the time of Roman rule to the present day? The British Navy has made its way from the fragile ships of the Saxon jarls to the reliable frigates and powerful "manovars" of the times of Drake and Morgan. And then, already at the peak of power, he was the first at sea in everything. Two world wars shook the dominance of the Pax Britannica, and after it, its navy.
Today, the British Navy is in 6th place in terms of tonnage, behind India, Japan, China, Russia and the USA, and the “islanders” are losing to the Americans by almost 10 times! Who would have thought that a former colony, a couple of centuries later, would look condescendingly at the former metropolis?
Yet the British navy is more than just guns, aircraft carriers, missiles and submarines. This is history. A story of great victories and crushing defeats, heroic deeds and human tragedies... "Hail, Britain, mistress of the seas!"
The role and place of the British Navy in the overall NATO structure is determined by:
- the possibility of implementing a policy of “nuclear deterrence” (the presence of strategic nuclear forces in their composition);
- the island position of the United Kingdom and its key position as the “sea gateway” of Europe;
- the country’s vulnerability from attack from the sea (from invasion and attacks from the sea on the metropolis and dependent territories);
- presence of remote overseas territories;
- key role in NATO groupings in the Eastern Atlantic, the English Channel area and the North Sea;
- a major role in cooperation with the United States, stabilization of transatlantic relations and importance in ensuring leadership in the WEU in the field of security;
- involvement of the Navy in the fulfillment of international obligations;
- the need to protect sea and ocean communications, economic activity at sea, etc.
In accordance with the governing documents, the country's naval forces are assigned the following tasks:
- nuclear deterrence and deterrence;
- striking at key enemy targets, defeating his naval forces;
- amphibious landings;
- defense together with the ground forces and air force of the country’s coast and repelling attacks from the sea and air;
- control of the situation in designated areas - sea (ocean) and coastal;
- protection of sea communications and oil and gas production areas;
- escort of national commercial and fishing vessels;
- conducting maritime reconnaissance;
- transfer of troops (forces).
The general management of the Navy is carried out by the Minister of Defense through the Chief of the Defense Staff and the Admiralty Committee of the National Defense Council, and directly by the Chief of the Naval Staff (London). The navy consists of the Navy, Navy Air Force and Marine Corps. Organizationally, the Navy includes the fleet command and the naval command in the metropolis.
Structure of the British Navy
Fleet Command (the commander is located in Northwood, the headquarters is in Portsmouth); (the commander of the fleet is at the same time the commander of the NATO Allied Naval Forces Command “North”). The commander exercises administrative management of the fleet's activities through his deputy - the chief of fleet staff, and operational management - through the commander of naval operations of the joint operational headquarters (JOO).
Subordinate to the Commander of Naval Operations (according to the administrative organization, he is the Commandant of the Marine Corps) are the commanders of naval and amphibious forces, who, through the relevant departments of the General Operations Command, manage the forces and assets allocated for conducting independent or joint operations. The fleet command includes:
- Portsmouth flotilla of heterogeneous forces (GVMB Portsmouth), which includes: the light aircraft carrier "Illustrious", destroyers URO pr. 42 and 45, frigates URO pr. 23, tank landing ships and auxiliary vessels, as well as three divisions of minesweepers , patrol ships and patrol boats;
- Devonport flotilla of heterogeneous forces (Devonport naval base) - Trafalgar-class multipurpose nuclear submarines, URO frigates pr. 22 and 23, landing helicopter carrier "Ocean", landing helicopter dock ships, auxiliary vessels;
- Faslane flotilla of heterogeneous forces (Faslane naval base) - Vanguard-class SSBNs, Estute-class submarines, minesweeper division.
The fleet aviation includes 14 helicopter squadrons: one - combat helicopters, six - anti-submarine helicopters, three - AWACS helicopters, one - search and rescue and three - transport.
The leadership of the Marine Corps (headquarters in Portsmouth) is carried out by the commandant of the Marine Corps. It includes: a marine brigade, a special forces detachment of the Navy, a detachment of landing craft, a detachment for the protection of naval facilities, a training center general training, amphibious training center, training and testing center. The total number of personnel of the regular MP forces is about 7,500 military personnel, the reserve is 1,000 people.
The Naval Command at Home (Portsmouth) is responsible for the following matters: recruitment of naval forces; training and education of personnel, operation of training centers; organizing the daily activities of the Navy, coordinating their actions with other types of aircraft; maintaining reserve components at the appropriate level of combat and mobilization readiness; medical and financial support Navy; protection of coastal facilities; organizing interaction with other military and civilian services on planning issues and ensuring the protection of naval bases and ports.
The naval forces are armed with: 64 warships (including four SSBNs, three of which are combat-ready, seven submarines); combat boats - 20; auxiliary vessels - 19; combat aircraft - 24, anti-submarine helicopters - 81. In addition, 10 warships (including three submarines) are in reserve.
Warships of the British Navy are included on a rotational basis in the permanent formations of the joint NATO naval forces, including permanent groups No. 1 of the NATO Allied Forces and No. 1 of the NATO Mine Sweeping Forces. There are also permanent naval groups in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
The naval basing system in the UK includes three main naval bases - Portsmouth (main), Devon port and Faslesin, and bases - Portland, Holy Loch, Londonderry, Dartmouth. An important role in this system is played by the network of seaports (up to 120 large and medium-sized ports). More than 40 of them are general purpose and are able to provide maneuverable and dispersed basing of ships of the main classes. There are naval bases in the overseas territories - Gibraltar (Mediterranean Sea), Port Stanley (South Atlantic) and on the island. Cyprus (Mediterranean Sea). The naval base and PB have sufficient capabilities to provide ship repair and logistics support for the fleet, including in the interests of the NATO Allied Naval Forces. Naval aviation is based at two main air bases: Yolvilton and Culdrose. The Marines are stationed at Portsmouth, Plymouth, Poole, Arbroath and Devonport.
British ships are involved in all military actions undertaken by the United States, as well as in all activities carried out under the auspices of the UN and other organizations. In particular, to participate in a peacekeeping operation within the framework of a regional conflict, it is planned to allocate up to eight warships from the country's Navy; in an invasion operation as part of the MNF (similar to operations in the Persian Gulf zone) - up to 14 and in a large-scale invasion operation within the national armed forces with the introduction of partial mobilization - up to 45 warships.
The British Navy retains one of the leading positions in the world both in terms of quantitative composition and balance, as well as in the degree of combat readiness and level of operational capabilities. They have virtually all the components and classes of ships needed to solve the full range of tasks, and in terms of their capabilities they rank second only to the US Navy. Fleet forces are capable, within the framework of the national armed forces (outside NATO), of carrying out the full range of offensive and defensive actions, including gaining supremacy at sea, striking enemy sea and coastal targets, conducting amphibious landing operations, etc.
The weaknesses of the country's Navy are:
- the need to attract civil fleet vessels for logistics support and the transfer of forces by sea, requiring the acquisition of ro-ro vessels;
- low “effectiveness of the Navy air defense system at a high level of air threat without the support of ground-based aviation (Air Force) when conducting independent operations at a great distance from bases:
- inconsistency of mine-sweeping forces with the needs of mine warfare in the event of massive mine laying in coastal areas to guarantee the protection of sea communications;
- low availability of space-based systems and means (intelligence, communications, target designation, etc.) in the case of combat use of the Navy in remote areas without relying on US and NATO assets in the implementation of missile defense, the use of long-range precision weapons (Tomahawk SLCM), strategic nuclear weapons of the Trident-2 system, etc.
The strengths of the Royal Navy are:
- the ability to deploy heterogeneous forces in any area of the world that can operate for a long time together with units of other types of armed forces included in their composition and conduct operations at the operational-tactical level;
- the ability to ensure intimidation of the enemy using the entire range of strategic, operational-tactical nuclear weapons and general-purpose weapons;
- presence of significant potential for impact along the coast;
- availability of a sufficient number of highly effective anti-submarine defense systems;
- the possibility of integration into unified structures due to the presence of compatible control systems, intelligence, logistics and other types of support;
- a high degree of freedom of maneuver by the fleet forces along almost the entire perimeter of the country’s borders, the ability to conduct blockade and other actions with the massive use of mine weapons, attracting shore-based aviation, as well as organizing anti-submarine and other defensive zones and lines;
- the presence of a highly developed basing system, including in overseas territories.
The rather effective use of naval forces within the framework of NATO's combined forces is facilitated by the geographical features of the Eastern Atlantic and North-Western European theater of operations, which make it possible to plan blockade operations and organize anti-submarine and other defensive lines.
Prospects for the development of the Navy. The construction of the British naval forces is carried out in accordance with the “Armed Forces Development Program for the period until 2015”. According to it, the construction of four (out of seven) new-generation Estute-class submarines continues, which will replace Swiftsure-class nuclear submarines. On August 27, 2010, the lead submarine, Estute, was introduced into service with the Navy. The second submarine, Em-Bush, is expected to enter service in 2011. The third and fourth ("Artfal" and "Odeisches") are at various stages of construction. In addition, a decision was made to build the fifth and sixth buildings of this type.
In 2010, the lead URO destroyer of the Daring type, a new project - 45, was introduced into the national Navy, and by 2014, the UK fleet should receive five more similar ships, which will gradually replace outdated destroyers.
To replace frigates of projects 22 and 23, it is planned to build up to 20 new-generation FRs. The development of the concept of a promising URO frigate within the framework of the Future Surface Combatant (FSC) program is being carried out by the BAe Systems* company. The lead ship is expected to enter service by 2018.
As one of the ways to increase the strike capabilities of the fleet, the Navy command is considering the issue of equipping multi-purpose nuclear submarines with American-made Tomahawk Block 4 sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs).
The country's Ministry of Defense initially signed a contract for the construction of two promising aircraft carriers (displacement of about 60 thousand tons, length up to 285 m) with a non-nuclear power plant, in which military-industrial firms from Great Britain and France will take part (it is also planned to build one aircraft carrier for the latter). The total value of the contract is about $12 billion. The commissioning of the first ship (Queen Elizabeth), scheduled for 2014, and the second (Prince of Wales) - for 2016, has been postponed by two years.
Based on this, the command of the British Navy extended the service life of the light aircraft carrier Invincible by two years (until 2012), and the aircraft carriers Illustrious and Ark Royal - until 2014 and 2017, respectively. But in the spring of 2011, according to English media reports, the Navy command decided to abandon the construction of the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, which would save almost 8.2 billion pounds sterling. This decision was influenced not so much by the cost of the ship itself, but by the high cost of the F-35 carrier-based fighters (created under the JSF - Joint Strike Fighter program), which were planned to be placed on the aircraft carrier. According to the contract, the country's navy can no longer refuse to build the ship. However, the military decided to turn it into a landing ship, which will only accommodate helicopters.
In addition, the number of F-35 fighters that will enter service with the British Air Force will also be reduced - instead of 138 aircraft, they will receive only 50. This will save more than 7.6 billion pounds. According to British media reports, the cost of each fighter is approaching 90 million pounds sterling, and it may be increased in the future.
In addition, the UK will not have to build a new helicopter carrier to replace the USS Ocean. The latter is scheduled to be retired from naval service in 2018 and replaced by the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, saving a further £600 million.
The amphibious capabilities of the fleet are expected to be increased through the construction of Bay-class transport-landing ships (four units) to replace the obsolete Sir Bidiver tank landing ships. In order to increase the combat capabilities of the anti-submarine forces of the British Navy, the modernization of Project 23 URO frigates continues. It provides for equipping them with heavy Merlin NM Mk.l helicopters and installing a new sonar system.
As part of the MARS program (maritime logistics system for armed forces in remote areas), it is planned to build from eight to 11 auxiliary vessels.
Evaluation and design work on the creation of a new hospital ship continues. According to the developers, the new ship will have on board up to eight operating units and about 200 beds - to provide comprehensive medical care wounded, including those affected by weapons of mass destruction. The introduction of a hospital ship into the fleet to replace the Argus ship is scheduled for 2012.
At the request of the British Ministry of Defense, the military industry is developing a new combat support helicopter for the Marine Corps as part of the SABR program. It should enter service in the coming years and replace the Sea King NS.4.
In general, the British Navy by 2025 will retain superiority over all Western European countries in a wide range of indicators, including fleet displacement, air defense equipment, combat against surface enemies, organization of anti-submarine and mine defense, and others.
The development and implementation of Great Britain’s plans to improve the Navy will allow them, in the forecast period, to effectively solve various problems as part of NATO (EU, UN) naval forces, including multinational peacekeeping forces.
