Aviation Training Ship

R.F.A Argus started life out as the container ship MV Contender Bezant, built in Italy and completed in1981. When the Falklands Crisis arose in 1982 she was one of the many ships taken up from trade by the British Government. Her role mainly involved the transport of aircraft to the South Atlantic. In 1984 she was purchased from her owners by the M.o.D for £13 million as a replacement for RFA Engadine. For the next four years Argus underwent a £50 million conversion at Harland and Wolff in Belfast that saw her rebuilt as an Aviation Training Vessel. The rebuild involved the sealing of her bow doors and the building of a large forward superstructure, which included extra accommodation. A flight deck was constructed and strengthened with a concrete underside 5ft thick. Two aircraft lifts were included to provide access to four hanger spaces beneath the flight deck, each of which can be secured with watertight doors. Argus commissioned in February 1987 and was based at Portland until 1996, when the base finally closed and she was transferred to Devonport along with Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).

As an Aviation Training Vessel, R.F.A Argus is responsible for not only preparing aircrews but also the technicians, maintenance crews and others associated with naval flying. In this respect RFA Argus is an important vessel, as without a designated Aviation Training Vessel the navy would have to use one of its two operational aircraft carriers for this role, reducing their availability. However RFA Argus fulfils several other important roles. Before being sent to the Gulf in 1990, Argus was rapidly converted into a Primary Casualty Reception Ship (PCRS) at Devonport Dockyard. This gave her two operating theatres and beds for 96 casualties. These facilities have recently (1999) undergone an upgrade and until the arrival of two future hospital ships in 2005, Argus represents the Navy's only medical capability at sea. R.F.A Argus medical facilities were put on standby when she was sent to take part in UN operations off Bosnia in order to evacuate and provide medical care for the Cheshire Regiment if worse came to the worse and fighting broke out. Argus has the capability to refuel other warships at sea and can also serve as a logistics transport: vehicles and military equipment can be stored on her flight deck or in her hanger spaces- an aft ramp permits roll-on / roll-off access to the ship when in port. This, together with her ability to deploy helicopters and accommodate up to 750 troops in emergency, means she could and has participated in amphibious exercises and operations.

RFA Argus has a displacement of 28,081 tonnes, a length of 175.1 metres, a beam of 30.4 metres and an 8 metre draught. She has a speed of 18 knots and a complement of 80 Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel with additional 55 personnel drawn from the Royal Navy. Her flight deck has five spots for Sea King, Lynx, Merlin or Chinook helicopters and she can transport, and if necessary operate, Sea Harrier aircraft. For defensive purposes, her weapons include four BMARC 30 mm guns and 62 mm machine guns.

Ship Details:

Above: A Sea King Helicopter leads R.F.A Argus through calm, clear seas. Her flight deck has spots for five of these aircraft.

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© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. Last updated 3rd September 2000. Disclaimer.