Military Sealift Command can “Rule the Waves”​

By Dr. Steven Wills

It has been reported that two modern British replenishment ships from Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are in long-term layup and likely put up for sale due to lack of available crew. RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler are capable, relatively modern replenishment vessels. This is an unfortunate turn of events for a very close ally but could end up being a win for all if the U.S. Military Sealift Command would offer to purchase both vessels. The U.S. did this before in the early 1980s with the purchase of the three ship Ness class of RFA replenishment ships that went on to serve for decades in Military Sealift Command before retirement in the early 2000s. Also, up for potential sale are two former British RFA survey vessels, the ex-RFA Enterprise and RFA Echo. Both have secondary roles as Mine Warfare Command ships, a mission area rapidly degrading within the U.S. Navy as the aging Avenger class MCMs are retired and more mine warfare capability becomes expeditionary and not tied to ships. Given the documented shortfalls in U.S. combat logistics and mine warfare force size and capabilities, the U.S. should immediately offer to purchase the Wave and Echo class ships from the United Kingdom for operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Figure 1. RFA Wave Knight (top) and HMS Echo (bottom) laid up in Portsmouth, U.K. earlier this year

Been There, Done That

Figure 2.  RFA Stromness underway just before the Falklands War, 1982

Figure 3. As USNS Saturn Conducting Underway Replenishment in 2005

This would not be the first time that the U.S. has purchased replenishment ships from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The RFA’s Ness class comprising Stromness, Lyness, and Tarbatness were designed and built in the late 1960s as high-capacity replenishment ships for support of British carrier groups. Plans to cut Royal Navy carrier forces and budget cuts in the wake of the 1981 Nott Defence Review caused these ships to be retired from the RFA rolls despite the clear need for such vessels displayed during the 1982 Falklands War and, in particular, the participation of RFA Stromness in that conflict carrying troops and supplies under fire in San Carlos Water.

Enter the U.S. Navy that discovered that it needed additional replenishment ships to maintain two carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean over the course of the Iran Hostage crisis. More replenishment ships were also needed to cover the global operations mandated by the 1980s Maritime Strategy. The U.S. bought all three RFA ships over the period 1981 to 1983 and recommissioned them as USNS Spica, USNS, Saturn, and USNS Sirius. All three served another 20 plus years, servicing U.S. warships around the globe before their retirement in the mid 2000s.

As in 1981, the U.S. Navy is facing a severe shortage of logistics ships necessary for operations in the Indo-Pacific. The Wave-class ships offer immediate support to that challenge as they are relatively new as compared to ships in the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the ten vessels to be acquired under the Tanker Security Program (TSP.) They are already NATO-fuel compliant and have naval communication gear and weapon mountings in place, making them both ideal candidates for quick transfer to and operation by the Military Sealift Command.

The Shrinking U.S. Mine Warfare Fleet also needs Help

Figure 4. HMS Enterprise while serving as NATO SNMCMG 2 Flagship in 2018

Figure 5. USS Patriot, 2019

Other British vessels retired under budget cuts can be of use to the U.S. Navy. The Royal Navy survey ships HMS Enterprise and HMS Echo have proven worth as deep ocean surveillance ships as well as mine warfare command platforms, but both were retired in the last two years. Military Sealift Command has several hydrographic survey ships, but none are as well outfitted for secondary military options as are Echo and Enterprise. The rapid retirement of the remaining Avenger class mine countermeasure ships, and the movement of mine warfare to a more expeditionary capability resident on multiple platforms calls more for a command vessel with suitable sensors capable of supervising mine warfare operations. HMS Enterprise served as the flagship for a NATO mine warfare group in 2017, demonstrating this capability. As with the need for more replenishment ships, the size and scope of the Indo-Pacific theater will demand more ships of all types. Given that the threat of deployment of one mine can be enough to close operations in a vital choke point or anchorage, more such vessels will be urgently needed and both Echo-class vessels fully meet those requirements.

The Navy and MSC need More Ships

While new construction is always preferable to second-hand purchase, the former Echo-class and Wave-class ships represent an immediate opportunity for the Navy and MSC to gain well-maintained and capable units from a close friend and ally known for their quality ship construction and maintenance. The U.S. government should act immediately to secure both classes of ships for Navy/MSC operation. The numbers difference in the Indo-Pacific between the U.S. and its allies verses the People’s Republic of China Navy (PLA) is becoming more pronounced in favor of the Chinese. Acquiring these ships is a relatively inexpensive and smart way to help even the balance.

 

Dr. Steven Wills is the Navalist at the Center for Maritime Strategy. His research and analysis centers on U.S. Navy strategy and policy, surface warfare programs and platforms, and military history.