Although the MOD did not specify her role, the Bay-class vessel has a proven track record in providing evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (Picture: MOD)

Navy

RFA Lyme Bay now at heightened readiness for possible deployment to Eastern Med

As the Government dismissed speculation that HMS Prince of Wales could be dispatched to the Eastern Mediterranean, the MOD has announced it is preparing an additional vessel for a possible deployment.

"As part of prudent planning, we have taken the decision to bring RFA Lyme Bay to heightened readiness as a precaution, should she be needed to assist in maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean," a spokesperson said.

The Bay-class landing ship dock of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary brings with it aviation and medical facilities, and it is possible these assets could support the evacuation of civilians and humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

Possible role

RFA Lyme Bay Lyme Bay has most likely been put on increased readiness to act in a contingency role in case of evacuation operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The most likely location for this would be Lebanon which is a country where the UK has conducted non-combatant evacuation operations known as NEOs in the past.

If the ship has Royal Marines embarked they can also provide maritime security off the coast of Cyprus in case of fast inshore attack craft approaching the coastline.

This is not something that has happened in Cyprus before, but has been a method of attack against Israel in the past.

Although the MOD has so far been vague about the role Lyme Bay will play, she has proven adept in delivering humanitarian aid, highlighted by the delivery of 87 tonnes of aid to Egypt for use in Gaza in 2024, as well as providing disaster relief to Dominica following Tropical Storm Erika.

She has sufficient capacity to accommodate more than 350 troops and up to 700 for short periods and, if needed, camp beds on the vehicle deck could increase these numbers.

Despite not having a dedicated hangar, a temporary one can be fitted, with enough space to handle aircraft up to the size of Chinooks, as well as Merlin helicopters.

She is also equipped with a Role 2 medical facility, which includes a 12-bed ward, an operating theatre, a dental surgery, X-ray capabilities and a medical laboratory.

In 2015, RFA Lyme Bay was dispatched to Dominica to provide humanitarian and disaster relief following the devastation left by Storm Erika — In 2015, RFA Lyme Bay was deployed to Dominica to provide humanitarian and disaster relief following the devastation left by Storm Erika (Picture: MOD)

After it was announced that the former RFA Argus – the RFA's "floating hospital" – was being retired after inspectors deemed the 1980s-converted vessel unsafe to sail in 2025, RFA Lyme Bay could step in and play a key role in humanitarian aid.

She would also act as the first vessel the Royal Navy has in the region.

It comes just days after reports emerged that the HMS Prince of Wales had her readiness reduced from 14 days to five, prompting speculation that she could sail to the Eastern Mediterranean.

But that speculation was downplayed by Downing Street, which said: "HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness.

"The MOD is increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment, but there is no decision to deploy her."