According to information published by the UK MoD on September 30, 2022, a Royal Navy task group has completed a mission to Libya as part of security operations in the Mediterranean.
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Royal Navy's Albion class landing platform dock Albion, Tripoli. (Picture source: UK MoD)
HMS Albion, flagship of Littoral Response Group North – a UK force designed to react to crises in European waters – sailed into capital Tripoli, becoming the first Royal Navy ship to visit the port in eight years.
There, Plymouth-based Albion – the Royal Navy’s amphibious flagship – was the floating venue for engagement events with political and military figures in Libya, while sailors and Royal Marines shared expertise with personnel from the Libyan Armed Forces.
That included delivering valuable RN training to the Libyan Navy in firefighting and damage-control techniques, engineering practices, seamanship and harbour surveying, using Albion as their classroom.
Around a hundred Libyan and foreign dignitaries were hosted aboard Albion – along with His Majesty’s Ambassador to Libya, Ms Caroline Hurdall and the Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East , Air Marshall Martin Sampson Royal Air Force.
During the reception the ship’s flight deck was used to host an amphibious demonstration which culminated in a traditional ceremonial sunset.
That completed the Littoral Response Group’s efforts in Libya, one of the first stops on an autumn of operations across the Mediterranean alongside NATO allies and partners.
More than a thousand sailors and Royal Marines are deployed with task group, which is made up of flagship Albion, Argus, RFA Mounts Bay and destroyer HMS Defender, plus helicopter squadrons.
About the LPD HMS Albion
HMS Albion is an amphibious transport dock of the Royal Navy, the first of the two-ship Albion class. Built by BAE Systems Marine in Barrow-in-Furness, Albion was launched in March 2001 by Princess Royal.
The Albion-class LPDs have a length of 176 metres (577 ft), a breadth of 28.9 metres (94 ft 10 in), and a draught of 7.1 metres (23 ft 4 in). They have a normal displacement of 14,000 tonnes (14,000 long tons; 15,000 short tons), 19,560 tonnes (19,250 long tons; 21,560 short tons) at full load and 21,000 tonnes (21,000 long tons; 23,000 short tons) when the dock is flooded. The ships have a crew of 325 and can accommodate up to 405 troops, including their vehicles and combat supplies, in overload conditions.
The GE Electric Propulsion System is powered by two Wärtsilä Vasa 16V 32E diesel generators generating at 6.6kV which drive two electric motors, two shafts, and a bow thruster as well as providing all the services power on the vessel. The diesel-electric system can propel the ships to a maximum speed of 18 knots and have a range of 8,000 miles (13,000 km).
For defence against missile attack, the Albion-class LPDs were fitted with two 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWSs mounted fore and aft on the superstructure and two 20 mm cannon located on the forward superstructure.
