The UK Ministry of Defence has officially confirmed that discussions are underway regarding the potential sale of two Royal Navy warships, HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, to the Brazilian Navy. Earlier this year, rumors had circulated about the sale of the Plymouth-based assault ships, and now the Ministry has confirmed these talks with Brazil.

As reported by Sky News on Friday, April 4, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated:

“We can confirm we have entered discussions with the Brazilian Navy over the potential sale of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion.”

Both ships are currently being decommissioned from the Royal Navy and were never expected to return to service before their planned out-of-service dates in the 2030s.

Plymouth MP Rebecca Smith commented on the situation, stating that in January she had asked the Labour Defence Secretary about the replacements for HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion but received no response. The following month, she inquired if Plymouth’s warships were being sold to a foreign navy, which was dismissed as mere speculation. However, it has now been confirmed that the foreign navy in question is Brazil.

Smith also expressed concerns over the financial aspects of the deal. She highlighted that HMS Bulwark had recently undergone a £72.1 million refit, and the deal with Brazil would reportedly be for just £20 million, significantly lower than the cost of the refit. She raised questions about the Labour Government’s handling of the deal, considering the potential eight-year capability gap before the replacements for the ships would be ready in 2033.

Smith further criticized the deal, stating that Brazil’s bargain would result in the Brazilian Navy having greater amphibious capability than the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. She described this move as a blow to Plymouth’s military prestige and a risk to national security amidst global instability. The deal, she argued, contradicts the Labour Government’s promises to reinvest in the UK’s Armed Forces.