{{Short description|2019 Tide-class replenishment tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = RFA Tideforce (A139) 1.jpg | image_caption = RFA ''Tideforce'' on the Firth of Clyde on 28 February 2019. }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = United Kingdom | flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval-RFA}} | name = ''Tideforce'' | namesake = | ordered = February 2012 | awarded = | builder = DSME | laid_down = 24 December 2015 | launched = 21 January 2017 | completed = | in_service = 30 July 2019 | out_of_service = | refit = | struck = | homeport = Marchwood Military Port, Southampton<ref name=":472">{{Cite web|date=27 April 2021|title=FOI(A) regarding the Royal Navy|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/743903/response/1777888/attach/3/FOI2021%2003678%20Response.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|access-date=27 April 2021|website=What do they know?}}</ref> | identification = *Pennant number: A139 *{{IMO Number|9655561}} | motto = Raise on the 3/4 | nickname = | fate = | status = In active service | notes = | badge = 125px | honours = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = <ref name="BMT">{{cite web|accessdate=23 February 2012|publisher=BMT|title=Tide Class MARS Tanker|url=http://www.bmtdsl.co.uk/?/309/1978/}}</ref> | class = {{sclass2|Tide|tanker|0}} fast fleet tanker | displacement = {{convert|37,000|t|LT|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|200.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|28.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=23 February 2012|publisher=Defencepro Daily|title=DSME Announced as Winning Bid for Royal Navy's MARS Tanker Competition |url=http://www.defpro.com/news/details/32660/?SID=f5303fc3fef14be038575b5623b1d2d9}}</ref> | draft = {{convert|10|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | propulsion = CODELOD | speed = {{convert|20|kn}} | range = {{convert|18,200|nmi}} | endurance = | capacity = *Tanks for diesel oil, aviation fuel (19.000 m³) and fresh water (1,400 m³) *Lubrication oil stored in drums *Stowage for up to 8 ft × 20 ft containers | complement = 63 plus 46 non-crew embarked persons (Royal Marines, flight crew, trainees) | sensors = *Kelvin Hughes Integrated Bridge System *Servowatch IPMS System *3 × SharpEye radar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=610|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929220705/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=610|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2012|title=Kelvin Hughes to supply equipment for 4 MARS tankers vessels for Royal Fleet Auxiliary|work=navyrecognition.com|accessdate=1 January 2016}}</ref> | EW = | armament = * 2 × Phalanx CIWS (fitted for, depending on deployment)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/last-ditch-defence-the-phalanx-close-in-weapon-system-in-focus/ |title=Last ditch defence – the Phalanx close-in weapon system in focus |work= Navy Lookout |date=10 August 2020 |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> * 2 × 30 mm cannons (fitted for, depending on deployment)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-all-rounder-the-30mm-automated-small-calibre-gun-in-focus/ |title=The all-rounder – the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun in focus |work= Navy Lookout|date=13 January 2021 |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> | armor = | aircraft = 1 medium helicopter with full hangar facilities (Merlin / Wildcat), flight deck capable of landing Chinook-size helicopter | aircraft_facilities = | notes = }} }}
'''RFA ''Tideforce''''' is a {{sclass2|Tide|tanker|0}} replenishment tanker of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Launched in 2017, the ship entered service with the RFA in 2019.
==Construction== ''Tideforce'', along with her three sister ships, was built by DSME in South Korea. As the fourth and final Tide-class vessel, her steel was first cut on 2 December 2015 prior to being laid down on 24 December 2015. Around nine months later, the ship was fully assembled and floated out by 12 September 2016. A series of builder's sea trials subsequently commenced and, in June 2018, the ship left South Korea for delivery to the United Kingdom via San Diego and the Panama Canal.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=RFA Tideforce |url=http://www.historicalrfa.org/rfa-tideforce |website=Historical RFA |accessdate=8 September 2020}}</ref> The ship arrived in Falmouth for fitting out on 22 August 2018. This involved the installation of communications equipment, defensive systems, a floating helipad and refueling rigs.<ref name="fittingout">{{cite news |title=FOURTH TIDE-CLASS TANKER ARRIVES FOR FIT-OUT |url=https://www.maritimejournal.com/news101/vessel-build-and-maintenance/vessel-repair-and-maintenance/fourth-tide-class-tanker-arrives-for-fit-out |accessdate=8 September 2020 |agency=Maritime Journal |date=22 August 2018}}</ref> Following fitting out, the ship carried out capability assessment trials, replenishment at sea (RAS) trials and first-of-class flying trials.<ref name="fittingout"/> Her first RAS was carried out with {{RFAux|Fort Victoria|A387|6}} off the Isle of Portland and a RAS with her sister ship {{RFAux|Tidesurge|A138|6}} occurred shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Tankers |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2019-07-12.276528.h |website=TheyWorkForYou |accessdate=28 September 2020 |date=17 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=history/> In July 2019, she achieved further milestones, carrying out her first RAS with the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}}, as well as her first RAS with a foreign vessel, {{HNLMS|Friesland|P842|6}} of the Royal Netherlands Navy.<ref name="history"/>
==Operational history== thumb|left|''Tideforce'' during Exercise Westlant 18 ''Tideforce'' entered service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary on 30 July 2019, the last of her class to do so following sister ships ''Tidespring'', ''Tiderace'' and ''Tidesurge''.<ref>{{cite news |title=RFA Tideforce Joins Royal Fleet Auxiliary Completing UK's New Tanker Fleet |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/07/rfa-tideforce-joins/ |accessdate=8 September 2020 |agency=Naval News |date=31 July 2019}}</ref> In September, the ship joined the UK Carrier Strike Group on its three-month Westlant 19 deployment to the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=HMS Queen Elizabeth Joins World's Biggest Coffee Morning |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/september/27/190927-qnlz-biggest-coffee-morning |accessdate=8 September 2020 |agency=Royal Navy |date=27 September 2019}}</ref>
In August 2020, ''Tideforce'' rendezvoused with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 to provide replenishment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tanker Tideforce Powers NATO Task Group |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/august/10/200810-tanker-tideforce-powers-nato-task-group |accessdate=8 September 2020 |agency=Royal Navy |date=10 August 2020}}</ref> In March, whilst conducting aviation training off the Devon and Dorset coast, ''Tideforce'' responded to an emergency call from a Dutch-flagged ship and provided assistance to an injured sailor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Naval Tanker's Crew Help Injured Sailor Off Portland |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/march/30/270320-tideforce-story |accessdate=8 September 2020 |agency=Royal Navy |date=30 March 2020}}</ref> During the same month, the ship joined eight UK naval ships in responding to seven Russian vessels near British waters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nine British Royal Navy and RFA ships 'monitoring every movement' of Russian war ships in UK waters |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/nine-british-royal-navy-and-rfa-ships-monitoring-every-movement-russian-war-ships-uk-waters-2518756 |accessdate=8 September 2020 |agency=The News |date=26 March 2020}}</ref> In June, the ship carried out the first night time replenishment at sea with a {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=First night replenishment at sea for British Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2020/british-navy-queen-elizabeth-aircraft-carrier-night-replenishment-at-sea |access-date=8 September 2020 |agency=Navy Recognition |date=3 June 2020}}</ref>
In October 2022, ''Tideforce'', with Wildcat helicopter embarked, was deployed to the Turks and Caicos islands to provide surveillance support to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force which was confronted with rising gang violence in the territory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/royal-navy-deploys-to-help-fight-gang-violence-in-turks-caicos |title=Royal Navy Deploys to Help Fight Gang Violence in Turks & Caicos |work=Maritime Executive |date=11 October 2022 |access-date=2 December 2022}}</ref>
In July 2023, ''Tideforce'' conducted replenishment-at-sea exercises with MV ''Raleigh Fisher'', a merchant navy vessel on contract to the MoD. The purpose of the exercise was to trial replenishment-at-sea capabilities with merchant navy ships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2023/july/03/230703-tideforce-commercial-replenishment |title=Tideforce replenish-at-sea trials with commercial tanker |website=Royal Navy |date=3 July 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023}}</ref> In September 2023, ''Tideforce'' was tasked to escort HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' during her "Operation FIREDRAKE" deployment in northern European waters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navylookout.com/2023-carrier-strike-group-deployment-begins/ | title=2023 Carrier Strike Group deployment begins |website=Navy Lookout | date=11 September 2023 }}</ref>
In October 2024, it was reported that she was docked, though available to deploy in an emergency, primarily due to the shortage of sailors in the RFA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-08 |title=RFA Fort Victoria to be placed in long-term lay up |website= Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/rfa-fort-victoria-to-be-placed-in-long-term-lay-up/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In November 2024, she supported HMS ''Iron Duke'' in monitoring two groups of Russian vessels passing through the English Channel. The Russian ships included the newly commissioned ''Admiral Gorshkov''-class frigate ''Admiral Golovko'' and Russian seabed spy ship ''Yantar. Yantar'' has likely been primarily engaged in information gathering, charting the location and vulnerabilities of cables and other undersea energy infrastructure should they wish to interfere with them in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=Royal Navy monitors Russian seabed spy ship Yantar loitering in Irish Sea {{!}} Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-monitors-russian-seabed-spy-ship-yantar-loitering-in-irish-sea/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=www.navylookout.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=RAF Lossiemouth fighter jets track Russian bomber over North Sea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2nldyg3y6o |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In January 2026, she provided support to US vessels in the pursuit and capture of ''Marinera'' (previously ''Bella 1''), a Russian-flagged oil tanker, as part of Operation Southern Spear.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=January 7, 2026 |title=UK helped US seize Russian-flagged tanker, defence ministry says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/07/uk-helped-us-seize-russian-flagged-tanker-defence-ministry-says |access-date=2026-01-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== See also == * List of replenishment ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}}
{{Tide-class tanker}} {{Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tideforce}} Category:Tide-class tankers Category:2017 ships Category:Ships built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering