Wave Knight class tanker

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The Wave Knight class tankers are Royal Fleet Auxiliary fast fleet tankers tasked with providing fuel, food, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world. The ships were ordered to replace RFA Olna and RFA Olwen.

A contract was placed for the vessels in 1997 with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (Marconi Marine VSEL). Construction of Wave Knight began in 1998 at VSEL's Barrow-in-Furness yard and the ship was launched in 2000. With the acquisition of Marconi Electronic Systems and its Marconi Marine subsidiary in 1999 British Aerospace became BAE Systems. BAE now owns VSEL in Barrow and YSL and Govan shipyards on the Clyde. BAE transferred the construction of Wave Ruler to Govan in 2000 and the vessel was launched in 2001.

The vessels can operate an RN Merlin HM Mk1 helicopter, or other helicopters of that size, from a hangar and flight deck at the stern. On deployments to APT(N) they have typically embarked an RN Lynx or a USCG helicopter.

  • Displacement: 12,500 tonnes
  • Loaded displacement: 31,500 tonnes (approx.)
  • Builder: BAE Systems (VSEL and Govan)
  • Speed: 18 knots (33 km/h), range of 7000 nautical miles (13,000 km)
  • Length:: 176 metres
  • Complement:
  • Armament:
    • 2 x 30mm close range guns
    • fitted to receive 2 x Phalanx CIWS
  • Propulsion:


Wave Knight-class tanker
Wave Knight | Wave Ruler

List of replenishment ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
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