![]() ![]() Using UAVs and ISR capabilities they may even be able to contribute to the protection of the group. Alternatively, in higher threat areas the ship could be integrated into a naval task group. Designed to be flexible in the way they are deployed, the FLSS may operate semi-covertly and independently for special forces and commando insertion or for disaster relief work. Having a low-cost FLSS permanently deployed not far from potential trouble spots offers a deterrent and a tailor-made platform for these operations. For the foreseeable future, ‘light footprint’ operations delivered from the sea against terrorist, criminal or extremist groups that threaten UK interests are more likely to be politically acceptable than large scale troop deployments. This has been one of the reasons the Royal Marines are transitioning away from operating like infantry to return to their traditional commando and amphibious specialist roles. The world has seen an increase in groups fighting hybrid conflicts in the so-called ‘grey zone’ below full-scale war. The main role of the FLSS will be as a base for special forces operations. MoD thinking appears to be that there will be two ships, both forward-deployed, one based East of Suez and the other covering in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Baltic as required. FLSS will be much more sophisticated and capable but probably not entirely dissimilar. Ro-Ro vessel Baltic Ferry was converted in a week with a flight deck welded to her upper deck. This is the MV Baltic Ferry, one of many British-flagged merchant Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT) at very short notice for used during the 1982 Falklands War. Merchant ship conversions can be done rapidly. At times there are advantages to not advertising the military capabilities of a vessel. ![]() Iran also operates the MV Saviz, supposedly a general cargo vessel but in fact used as an offshore surveillance and special forces base, recently operating in the Red Sea probably supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen. ![]() Ocean Trader is not painted all-grey and looks like a typical merchant vessel in appearance. MV Ocean Trader is a merchant ship conversion belonging to the US Military Sea Lift Command and was perhaps the inspiration for the FLSS. ![]() The FLSS is unlikely to fly the White Ensign and may either be operated as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary, or more likely run as a government-chartered vessel. The FLSS are intended to be procured quickly to complement the LPDs, rather than replace them. Conducted by the MoD’s Naval Design Partnering (NDP) team, the MRSS study was tasked to consider options for replacing the LPDs, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark as well as other amphibious capabilities. The FLSS has been evolved from an earlier Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) pre-concept study undertaken between 2017-2018. The concept clearly makes sense but information in the public domain is sketchy. £35M has been allocated from the MoD’s Transformation Fund for the development of FLSS although, at the time of writing, no commercial company has received a contract for detailed design work. Since the ministerial announcement, there has been limited further official comment about the FLSS concept, although the previous First Sea Lord was enthusiastic about “refreshing our littoral strike credentials” when speaking at RUSI in May 2019. ![]()
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