UK welcomes RFA Proteus, the UK’s first dedicated underwater surveillance ship
RFA Proteus has a flight deck and a 1,000sqm cargo deck, plus a heavy-duty crane. (Photo: Crown Copyright)
The UK has commemorated the arrival of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Proteus, the country’s first ship dedicated to underwater surveillance, equipped with advanced capabilities and remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) for seabed warfare operations.
The ship will be operated by RFA, the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) support arm, and was formally dedicated on 10 October. Proteus will serve as a testbed for advancing science and technological development.
The UK MoD committed to the purchase less than year ago as the first ship in its Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) programme which includes plans for a second locally-built ship.
The ship was converted from the commercial vessel MV Topaz Tangaroa which was designed and built by Vard. It had previously conducted commercial subsea work, including surveys and operating ROVs.
Since arriving at the Cammell Laird yard in Birkenhead in January, the 6,000t vessel has undergone conversion to fit for purpose.
Crewed by 26 RFA officers and sailors, augmented by 60 Royal Navy specialists responsible for the undersea surveillance, survey and warfare systems, the ship began life as an oil rig-support vessel.
It left Merseyside in September to undergo trials and training off Portland.
It is equipped with a flight deck and a 1,000sqm cargo deck, plus a heavy-duty crane for lifting and lowering operations.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Babcock onshores 85% of Canada’s submarine supply chain as it eyes future CPSP programme]()
Babcock onshores 85% of Canada’s submarine supply chain as it eyes future CPSP programme
By moving most of the Royal Canadian Navy’s submarine supply chain into Canada, Babcock Canada is driving to strengthen sovereign sustainment capabilities while preparing to compete to maintain the future Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
-
![From the seas to the web: the changing shape of UK defence in Southeast Asia]()
From the seas to the web: the changing shape of UK defence in Southeast Asia
As his final engagement before leaving his post as the head of the British defence staff for Southeast Asia and defence adviser to Singapore, Brigadier Eddie Maskell-Pedersen spoke with Shephard about maritime security, cyber cooperation and long-term partnerships.
-
![How the Belgium-Netherlands MCM programme is reshaping naval mine warfare]()
How the Belgium-Netherlands MCM programme is reshaping naval mine warfare
As the Belgian-Dutch replacement mine countermeasure programme progresses, it is becoming clear that motherships will be integral to future MCM operations. Seven years on from the programme’s inception, the impact of its forward-looking approach can be seen through the procurement strategies of its Western allies today.
