A-135 Argus

Country:  United Kingdom

Class, [Type]: [AGH].

Builder: CNR Breda, Venice, Italy.

Launch date: 28 November 1980.

Commission date: 01 June 1988.

Displacement ( tons ): 28.480 full load.

Dimensions ( metres ): 173,01 x 30,64 x 8,2

Main machinery: 2 x Lindholmen-Pielstick 18 PC2.5 V400 diesel generator sets, 2 x Lindholmen propulsion motors ( 23.400 hp ).

Speed ( knots ): 22.

Range ( miles ): 20.000 at 19 knots.

Complement: 80 ( 22 officers ) RFA + 172 RN + 750 troops ( emergency ).

Guns: 2 x Oerlikon GAM-B0 20mm/90, 4 x 7,62mm.

Military lift: 1.384 ton vehicles in lieu of aircraft.

Radar: Air search: 1 x BAE Systems Type 994 MTI, E/F bands; Air/Surface search: 1 x Kelvin Hughes Type 1006, I band; Navigation: 1 x Kelvin-Hughes Type 1007, I band.

Countermeasures: Decoys: 4 x Sea Gnat. Towed torpedo decoy Graseby Type 182; ESM: THORN EMI Guardian ( radar warning ).

Helicopter: up to 6 x Medium sized helicopters ( Sea King ).

Aviation: 12 x Sea Harriers ( with no helicopters ).

Callsign: GDSA ()

Comment: Ex - Contender Bezant. Former roll-on/roll-off vehicle and container cargo ship, purchased 2-3-84, having been on charter since 5-82, when she was used as an aircraft transport during the Falklands War; initially intended to act as a helicopter training ship or as a transport for Harrier/Sea Harrier aircraft. The original vehicle cargo decks were converted into a hangar, and elevators were added. During a refit in 2001 it was given a permanent medical facility with beds for 90 casualties, 20 berths for intensive care patients, and four operating theaters, all fitted into the space below the helicopter deck, which was modified to have multiple helicopter operating spots.