The UK is in negotiations with Brazil over a “potential sale” of two Royal Navy amphibious assault ships, HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, as part of cost-cutting measures, according to the Ministry of Defence. Both ships have undergone recent upgrades and are essential for deploying Royal Marines amid increasing global threats. This move highlights the ongoing pressure on the defence budget despite promises by Sir Keir Starmer to increase spending. The sale to Brazil demonstrates that the vessels still have significant capabilities and could have been utilized for various military operations, including evacuation missions. These ships are scheduled to be decommissioned in the 2030s, and their replacements are still years away, indicating tight financial conditions in the UK’s defence sector.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/uk-in-talks-with-brazil-over-potential-sale-of-two-royal-navy-amphibious-assault-ships-13341476