Fort class replenishment ship

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Image:Rfa-fortgeorge-a388.jpg

The Fort class fleet replenishment ships, of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, combine the missions of a tanker and stores supply ship.

Six ships were planned to supply the Type 23 class frigates in their North Atlantic anti-submarine role. The Type 23 was at the time planned to be a low cost, lightly armed class. The Fort class ships were therefore expected to defend both themselves and the Type 23 with the Sea Wolf vertical launch surface-to-air missile (SAM).

The lessons of the Falklands War and the end of the Cold War lead to a re-evaluation of this plan. The Type 23 emerged as a much more potent, multi-role vessel and the requirement for the Fort class was reduced from six to two.

Fort Victoria was built by Harland & Wolff and Fort George by Swan Hunter and the ships entered service in 1993.