Both Royal Navy Solid Support Ships were decommissioned in March 2021. The sister ships have two flight decks, which means traditional replenishment at sea. They are also able to use helicopters to offload supplies.
Fort Austin and Fort Rosalie will be replaced by the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, which will form part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group.
Fort Rosalie and Fort Austin are the only two fleet replenishment vessels of the Fort Rosalie class. They were commissioned with the RFA in April 1978 and May 1979, respectively. They have a full load displacement of 23,890 tons and a length of 185 meters.
They supply dry stores and not fuel. The Fort Rosalie-class vessels can store 3,500 long tons (3,600 t) of stores, including refrigerated items, in four holds. They can replenish at sea (RAS), using three 10-ton and three 5-ton cranes and vertical replenishment (VERTREP).
