MoD in talks to sell amphibious warships to Brazil

Both ships were due to be scrapped by the MoD

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is in talks with the Brazilian navy over the sale of two former Royal Navy amphibious warships.

The MoD confirmed it was in "discussions" with the Brazilian armed forces over their "acquisition" of Devon based HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion.

The government announced in November that both ships were due to be scrapped as part of widespread defence cuts.

An MoD spokesperson said neither of the decommissioned ships was planned to go out to sea before their out of service dates in the 2030s.

HMS Bulwark has not been at sea since 2017

The ships were the largest to be based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth.

Amphibious ships are used to move assault troops to land quickly, especially in enemy territory.

HMS Bulwark was launched in 2001 and rescued at least 500 migrants off the coast of Libya in 2015.

HMS Albion has been out of service since 2023

HMS Albion, which was also launched in 2001, took part in arctic operations in 2022.

China accused the Royal Navy of 'provocation' in 2022 when the ship sailed close to the disputed Paracel islands in the South China Sea.

The MoD said neither HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark had been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. Neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034.