UK begins search for new strategic sealift capability
MV Hartland Point carrying military equipment in support of Cougar 12 in the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo: MoD/ Crown Copyright)
The contract in the UK for the provision of strategic sealift capability expires at the end of 2024.
The UK MoD issued an RfI on 20 October for an interim strategic sealift capability, with a view to achieving FOC on 1 January 2025.
The existing sealift contract from the MoD for Foreland Shipping to provide four Point-class roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels expires on 31 December 2024.
In documents, the MoD said that the interim replacement would run for a minimum of five years.
A high-level timeline released by the MoD in its RFI states that informal industry engagement could begin in early 2022, with formal engagement beginning in the middle of the same year. A contract award date has yet
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Italy’s U212 Near Future Submarine production builds pace as upgrade plans mature]()
Italy’s U212 Near Future Submarine production builds pace as upgrade plans mature
Andrea Simone Pinna, OCCAR-EA combat system officer for the U212 NFS programme, outlined production progress, new capabilities and plans for the Italian Navy’s next-generation conventional submarine.
-
![How Canada is preparing the future River-class destroyers to endure uncrewed threats]()
How Canada is preparing the future River-class destroyers to endure uncrewed threats
Designed in 2019, Canada's new River-class destroyers are planned to be handed over by the 2050s. The long procurement timeline has cast doubt on whether the platforms will be obsolete for tomorrow’s warfare.
-
![Latest Russian subsea standoff puts pressure on the UK’s seabed defence strategy]()
Latest Russian subsea standoff puts pressure on the UK’s seabed defence strategy
UK defence secretary John Healey’s exposure of a covert Russian deep-sea operation against undersea infrastructure in the Atlantic validates the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion concept but lays bare a capacity gap that autonomous systems, allied integration and sustained investment must close.
