Bay-class

The Bay class is a series of four landing ship docks (LSD) operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Development began in the 1990s to replace the Round Table-class logistics ships, which had reached the end of their service lives. The design is a derivative of the Royal Schelde Enforcer, a joint Dutch-Spanish project. Construction was split between Swan Hunter and BAE Systems, with work beginning in 2002. Management issues and delays at the Swan Hunter shipyard led to the cancellation of their contract in 2006, after which BAE Systems completed the remaining construction. The vessels entered service between 2006 and 2007.

The vessels are designated as Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and share characteristics with ro-pax ferries. While based on the Enforcer design, the Bay class lacks a permanent helicopter hangar, though a temporary shelter can be fitted to the flight deck. Propulsion is provided by a diesel-electric system driving two steerable azimuthing thrusters and a bow thruster. For sealift operations, the ships feature 1,150 linear metres of vehicle space, accessible via stern and side ramps. The well deck is designed to carry landing craft, and the hull flanks are fitted to carry Mexeflote powered rafts. Cargo handling is supported by two 30-ton cranes. Aviation facilities are capable of supporting helicopters up to the size of a Chinook. The ships carry a standard troop complement that can be increased during overload conditions.

Operational history includes amphibious exercises, counter-drug deployments in the Caribbean, and disaster relief, such as the 2010 response to the Haiti earthquake. Between 2008 and 2010, the class supported the training of Iraqi Navy personnel in the Persian Gulf. In 2011, Largs Bay was decommissioned from RFA service following the Strategic Defence and Security Review and sold to Australia. She was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Choules. During her early Australian service, the vessel required a refit to replace propulsion transformers after an insulation failure. Since 2020, the RFA has utilized the remaining three vessels as part of Littoral Response Groups. The class is expected to remain in service until the 2030s, when they are scheduled for replacement by Multi-Role Support Ships.