Tidespring, The First Tide Class (MARS) Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tanker Started Sea Trials

: Posted On Wednesday, 29 June 2016 15:07

Naval Industry News - South Korea, UK

Tidespring, The First Tide Class (MARS) Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tanker Started Sea Trials

A picture was released this week showing the future RFA Tidespring (A 136), the first of four new MARS (Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability) tankers in builder sea trials off South Korea with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). The tanker is expected in Falmouth, UK, later this year for military customisation.

A picture was released this week showing the future RFA Tidespring, the first of four new MARS (Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability) tankers in builder sea trials off South Korea with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). The tanker is expected in Falmouth, UK, later this year for military customisation.

The future RFA Tidespring in builder sea trials off South Korea. Picture via twitter.com/UKDefJournal

In February 2012, DSME received a UK Ministry of Defence contract for the construction of four new generation large supply vessels (to be named A 136 Tidespring, A 137 Tiderace, A 138 Tidesurge, A 139 Tideforce) as part of the MARS program for a total value of 452 million pounds. The vessel design was done by British company BMT Defence Services. First steel cut of lead ship of the class Tidespring took place on July 27, 2014. The three remaining vessels will be delivered every six months after delivery of Tidespring.

The four Tide-class tankers, Tidespring, Tiderace, Tidesurge and Tideforce, will enter service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to boost the Royal Navy capabilities by delivering fuel, water, spare parts and other supplies.