RFA Argus heads for Baltic Protector 2019
RFA Argus has deployed for Baltic Protector 2019 with Royal Marine helicopter squadrons embarked as part of a Royal Navy amphibious task force.
The deployment, led by flagship HMS Albion, is the first test of the RN-led international Joint Expeditionary Force. With the British amphibious task group at its heart, it also consists of ships, aircraft, helicopter, troops and armour from up to eight other allied nations that have shorelines on either the Baltic or North Seas.
Onboard Argus are the Royal Marines’ Commando Helicopter Force and Merlin Mk4 troop carriers (845 Naval Air Squadron), and reconnaissance/intelligence gathering Wildcats (847 NAS).
As well as conducting exercises and providing training support both for the Fleet Air Arm and military medics, Argus doubles up as a casualty treatment ship with onboard hospital facilities
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
-
“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
-
As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging
Research programmes and system procurement efforts to counter uncrewed surface and underwater vehicle threats are accelerating as naval drone uptake spreads.
-
US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027
After recording a nearly six-year delay in the OPC schedule, the USCG intends to advance with the programme, reaching multiple milestones in the short term.