HMS Bulwark flaunts painted hull as she edges closer to return to active duty
HMS Bulwark appears to be edging closer to making her return to sea to take up her role as a Landing Platform Dock ship for the UK Commando Force.
The crew of the Royal Navy's Albion Class amphibious assault ship took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to flaunt the vessel's newly painted hull and clean lines.
The post likened HMS Bulwark's new look to James Blunt's hit single You're Beautiful.
"As the phoenix rises from the ashes, a sense of 'resurgam' ignites hope within us," Bulwark posted on X.
Bulwark added: "Looking up with great pride from the dock bottom at her newly painted hull and clean lines, the most appropriate song must be 'You're Beautiful' by James Blunt."
Royal Navy workhorse HMS Albion returned home to Plymouth in July, and it is still unclear when her sister ship HMS Bulwark will take over as a Landing Platform Dock ship.
The Ministry of Defence has continued to refrain from revealing the specific date for her return to active duty.
"HMS Bulwark remains in Devonport Dockyard undertaking a period of upkeep. She is now in a period of transition with her sistership HMS Albion," Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said in September in response to a written parliamentary question from shadow defence secretary John Healey.
He added: "We do not disclose the fine detail of forward availability to preserve the operational security of the fleet."
Mr Healey later questioned: "For what reason HMS Bulwark is not ready for operations?"
Mr Cartlidge responded: "HMS Bulwark is undertaking scheduled maintenance, before transitioning into regeneration to replace her sister ship HMS Albion."
Bulwark, after her dry-docking in late 2020 for the second phase of her optimised support period, had been slated to make her return to the fleet in 2023.
HMS Albion farewell
Albion has been integral to Commando Force operations all around the world.
In September, sailors and Royal Marines gathered in the well dock of HMS Albion for a special ceremony to reflect on their time on the ship and say farewell to vessel as her term as the UK's amphibious flagship came to an end.
Specialist parts and equipment are being moved from HMS Albion to HMS Bulwark.
HMS Albion's specialist role was to bring Royal Marines ashore, using landing craft and raiding boats.
The assault ship had spent recent years leading the Littoral Response Group (North) – a force able to deploy across Europe and react to crises and world events.
Albion has completed six years of intensive operations around the world.
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