The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a naval auxiliary fleet owned by the UK's Ministry of Defence. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service and provides logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The RFA ensures the Royal Navy is supplied and supported by providing fuel and stores through replenishment at sea, transporting Royal Marines and British Army personnel, providing medical care and transporting equipment and essentials around the world. In addition the RFA acts independently providing humanitarian aid, counter piracy and counter narcotic patrols together with assisting the Royal Navy in preventing conflict and securing international trade.[2] They are a uniformed civilian branch of the Royal Navy staffed by British merchant sailors.[3] The RFA is one of five RN fighting arms .[4]
RFA personnel are civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence and members of the Royal Naval Reserve and Sponsored Reserves. Although RFA personnel wear Merchant Navy rank insignia with naval uniforms, they are part of the Royal Navy. RFA vessels are commanded and crewed by these sailors, augmented with regular and reserve Royal Navy personnel who perform specialised functions such as operating and maintaining helicopters or providing hospital facilities. Royal Navy personnel are also needed to operate certain weapons, such as the Phalanx; however, other weapons (such as the DS30B 30 mm cannon) are operated by RFA personnel. The RFA counts an aviation support vessel and dock landing ships amongst its assets.
As of late 2024, the RFA was suffering from severe manpower shortages resulting in only 6 of 11 vessels being able to be crewed on a regular basis.[5][6]
The RFA was established in 1905 to provide logistical support for the Navy. Since the Royal Navy of that era possessed the largest network of bases around the world of any fleet, the RFA at first took a relatively minor role.
The RFA first became heavily relied upon by the Royal Navy during World War II, when the British fleet was often far from available bases, either due to the enemy capturing such bases, or, in the Pacific, because of the sheer distances involved. World War II also saw naval ships staying at sea for much longer periods than had been the case since the days of sail. Techniques of replenishment at sea (RAS) were developed. The auxiliary fleet comprised a diverse collection, with not only RFA ships, but also commissioned warships and merchantmen as well. The need for the fleet to be maintained was unambiguously demonstrated by World War II.
After 1945, the RFA became the Royal Navy's main source of support in the many conflicts that the Navy was involved in. The RFA performed important service to the Far East Fleet off Korea from 1950 until 1953, when sustained carrier operations were again mounted in Pacific waters. During the extended operations of the Konfrontasi in the 1960s, the RFA was also heavily involved. As the network of British bases overseas shrank during the end of the Empire, the Navy increasingly relied on the RFA to supply its ships during routine deployments.
Commodore Bill Walworth and Commodore Tim Fraser RN aboard RFA Lyme Bay
Ships in RFA service carry the ship prefixRFA, standing for Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and fly the Blue Ensign defaced with an upright gold killick anchor. All Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are built and maintained to Lloyd's Register and Department for Transport standards.
As of 2024/25, there are 11 ships in service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary with a total displacement of approximately 278,000 tonnes. These figures exclude the merchant navy vessels under charter to the Ministry of Defence performing sealift and fuel provisioning roles.
Underway replenishment
The most important role provided by the RFA is replenishment at sea (RAS), therefore the mainstay of the current RFA fleet are the replenishment ships.[10] Two classes of vessel are in service as of 2024: Fort Victoria and the Tide class.
The Tide class are designated 'Fast Fleet Tankers' that were ordered in February 2012. The four tankers were ordered from DSME, South Korea with design support from Britain's BMT Defence Services, the first of which Tidespring entered service in 2017.[11] From 2022, only the Tide class remained active with both of the fomer Wave class vessels placed in extended readiness (uncrewed reserve) and then, in 2024/25, retired from service completely.[12][13] As of April 2024, RFA Tiderace was also reported to be in extended readiness, primarily owing to serious personnel shortages in the RFA.[14]
RFA Fort Victoria is a 'one-stop' replenishment ship, capable of providing under way refuelling and dry cargo (i.e. rearming, victualling and spares). Until 2011, she had a sister ship in RFA Fort George until she was decommissioned as a result of defence cuts. Two ships of the Fort Rosalie class also provided dry stores replenishment but were placed into extended readiness in 2020.[15] The two ships were later decommissioned, leaving Fort Victoria the only fleet solid support ship in service.[16][17] In 2023, Fort Victoria was reported to be in "reduced readiness" and, in 2024, she was relegated to "extended readiness" (uncrewed reserve).[18][19][20] A class of three new fleet solid support ships are expected to arrive starting in 2031 under the Fleet Solid Support Ship Programme.[21][22][23][24] The manufacturing contract for this acquisition, valued at £1.6 billion, was signed in January 2023.[25]
The Tide class and Fort Victoria incorporate aviation facilities, providing aviation support and training facilities as well as vertical replenishment capabilities. They are capable of operating and supporting Merlin and Lynx Wildcat helicopters, both of which are significant weapons platforms. The presence of aviation facilities on RFA ships allows for them to be used as 'force multipliers' for the task groups they support in line with Royal Navy doctrine.
From 2025, the RFA will be tasked with playing the lead role in providing amphibious shipping within the naval service, through its three Bay-classdock landing ships (LSD). Typically one Bay-class vessel has also been assigned as a permanent 'mothership' for Royal Navy mine countermeasures vessels in the Persian Gulf. However, crewing problems in the RFA have meant that the capacity to do this has eroded (in 2024-25, for example, RFA Cardigan Bay which was normally assigned to the mine countermeasures support role was unavailable since she was laid up in the U.K. awaiting a refit that was planned for 2026).[35]
The 2021 defence white paper proposed the acquisition of a new class of up to six Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) to support littoral strike operations. These vessels are to replace the Bay-class ships, and other vessels, starting in the 2030s. In the interim, the white paper had proposed to upgrade one of the Bay-class vessels with permanent hangar facilities in order to carry out the littoral strike role.[36][37] However, in July 2022 it was reported that the future littoral strike role would in fact be assumed by RFA Argus after a refit to convert her to this role.[38]
Argus is a unique support ship in the RFA and has served in various aviation support roles. On active operations, she can deploy as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship (PCRS); essentially a hospital ship. She cannot be described as such – and was not afforded such protection under the Geneva Convention – as she is armed. Argus completed a refit in May 2007 intended to extend her operational life to 2020.[39] Prior to the announcement that she would take on the Littoral strike role, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin indicated that it was planned to retain the ship in service beyond 2030 rather than retiring her in 2024 as previously planned.[40][41] The 2021 defence white paper did not specifically mention her replacement. However, Minister Quinn indicated that her functions are projected to be taken over by the new MRSS vessels, approved for acquisition in the 2021 defence white paper.[42][36][37]
The RFA has acquired a Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship to protect undersea critical national infrastructure, such as gas pipelines and undersea cables.[50] In February 2023, the vessel identified for this role - MV Topaz Tangaroa - was acquired and in October 2023 entered service as RFA Proteus. She was purchased for some £70 million and was converted to act as a mothership for autonomous systems and have military communications and light defensive armament added.
It is reported that a second MROS ship is envisaged, which may be a new build vessel and, as of 2023, is in the concept stage. Service entry is envisaged likely in the early 2030s.[51][52]
In December 2022, it was reported that a commercial vessel was being sought for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary which would act as a trials vessel to further develop the concept of deploying autonomous minehunting systems from command and support motherships.[54] The new vessel, to be named RFA Stirling Castle,[55] is the former offshore support vessel MV Island Crown which, after her entry into service, is likely to be based at the Clyde naval base[56] to operate with the Mine Threat and Exploitation Group which deploys the Royal Navy's autonomous vessels. The ship was purchased for £40 million and arrived at HMNB Devonport in January 2023. Her conversion was not anticipated to be lengthy.[57] Full service entry took place in April 2024.[58][59]
Up to three additional ships, either new-build vessels or commercial conversions, are planned for eventual acquisition in the mine countermeasures command and support role.[60][61]
The Point-class sealift ships were acquired in 2002 under a £1.25bn private finance initiative with Foreland Shipping known as the Strategic Sealift Service. These ships are Merchant Navy vessels leased to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as and when needed and as such are not part of the RFA. However, they are listed here due to their role in expeditionary military operations and in provisioning U.K. military bases and facilities. Originally six ships were part of the deal, allowing the MoD use of four of the ships with two being made available for commercial charter, these latter two were released from the contract in 2012.[65]
The MoD also contracts to secure fuel supplies for facilities overseas. For sometime this requirement was maintained through charter of the vessel Maersk Rapier.[66] The ship was tasked with supplying fuel to the United Kingdom's various naval establishments at home and overseas, as well as providing aviation fuel to RAF stations at Cyprus, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands.[66] The MoD chartered the vessel to commercial companies during periods where she was not in use for defence purposes.[66][67] Since the end of the contract for the use of Maersk Rapier, a further contract for the use of another tanker, renamed the Raleigh Fisher, has been secured.[68][69]
Rank insignia of RFA officers differ from the Royal Navy as the RFA makes use of the diamond used by some British merchant shipping companies, rather than the executive curl used by the RN.
The rank of commodore is the most senior in the RFA.
RFA Officer Ranks and Insignia
Rank
Commodore
Captain
Chief Officer
First Officer
Second Officer
Third Officer
Officer Cadet
Insignia
Abbreviation
Cdre
Capt
C/O
1/O
2/O
3/O
CDT
Analogous RN Rank*
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant
Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant
Midshipman/Officer Cadet
Department Colours
The RFA uses distinction cloth to distinguish the branch of its officers. The Royal Navy ceased this practice for most officers in 1955, with the exception of medical and dental officers who are denoted by red and orange cloth respectively.
Deck (X)
Logistics and Supply (LS)
Marine Engineering (ME)
Systems Engineering (SE)
Communications
unadorned
Although the Marine Engineering distinction cloth is generally described as being purple, it is in practice closer to maroon.
Crew
RFA Crew Ranks and Insignia
Rank
Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Leading Hand
Seaman Grade 1
Seaman Grade 2
Apprentice
Insignia
Branch shown
Comms
Comms
Deck
Comms
Deck
Deck
Uniforms
Officers and Ratings of the RFA wear similar uniforms to the regular navy with RFA distinguishing marks.
No. 1 Dress
No. 1 dress
This is the formal uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. For all officers it consists of a double-breasted, navy blue reefer jacket with four rows of two RFA buttons; matching trousers; white shirt and black tie; peaked cap; and black leather shoes. Rank insignia is denoted on the lower sleeve. RFA officer cap badges, although similar in style to those used by RN officers, feature a ring with letters 'RFA' surrounding the fouled anchor at the centre.
For ratings below the rank of Petty Officer, this uniform is a single breasted tunic fastened with four RFA buttons, with flapped chest pockets and hip pockets; white shirt and black tie, and a dark blue beret and black leather shoes. Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers wear a double breasted navy blue reefer jacket similar to the Officers version but with three rows of two RFA buttons. They wear a beret with an RFA badge, formerly a pantone blue, now the same colour as the RN Navy Blue. Rank insignia is denoted on the lower sleeve.
Number 2A dress is the formal evening dress for ceremonial dinners; it consists of a navy blue mess jacket with a white waistcoat (black cummerbund for female officers) with miniature medals.
2B is "mess undress" for other mess functions, and is worn with either a black cummerbund or navy blue waistcoat and miniature medals. 2C, "red sea rig", is worn for informal evening wear on board ship; it consists of a white short sleeved shirt, worn with shoulderboards, without medals and with black trousers, black shoes and a black cummerbund. It is unusual to see a black cummerbund worn with red sea rig as it is traditional to have personalised cummerbunds. These are usually in the branch colours of the wearer and commonly have either a branch insignia or a ship's badge embroidered in the centre. This tradition is also prevalent in the RN.
No. 3 Dress
This is worn all year round for general duties. It consists of a white shirt with rank insignia on the shoulders, and appropriate headgear. For officers 3A dress includes a long-sleeved shirt and tie, while 3B includes a short-sleeved shirt worn with hard shoulder boards. 3C is the same in all respects as 3A but with the addition of a navy blue woollen jersey.
This is the same as for Officer's No. 3 dress but with the relevant rate insignia and beret. Junior rates are only issued with short-sleeve shirts and are not issued with ties. Thus No.3 dress is divided into 3B (without jersey) and 3C dress (navy-blue jersey worn over the shirt with the shirt collar out). There is no equivalent of 3A dress for junior ratings.
No. 4 Dress
Number 4 dress is the working uniform of the RFA. It is referred to as Royal Fleet Auxiliary Personal Clothing System (RFAPCS); it consists of a navy blue fire-retardant jacket, navy blue baseball cap and beret, navy blue stable belt, navy-blue fire-retardant trousers, dms boots, black T-shirt and an optional navy-blue microfleece.
Number 4R dress is the same only without the jacket and with an optional baseball cap.
RFAPCS is distinguished from its RNPCS counterpart by the RFA blue ensign and 'ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY' tape replacing the white ensign and 'ROYAL NAVY' tape worn on the left arm and left chest pocket respectively.
Junior ratings may also wear an RFA badged baseball cap in this order of dress, whilst undertaking courses at Royal Navy establishments.
No. 5 Dress
Number 5 dress is the collective category for all specialist working uniforms. They are worn as required for duties.
Recruitment and training
As of 2022–23, the RFA was reported to be facing considerable recruiting challenges. Manpower was said to have dropped by 5 per cent from 2021 to 2022, contributing to the reduced availability, and even potential redundancy, of some vessels.[72][73][74][75] In September 2024 RFA sailors began strike action over low pay. Due to compounding personnel shortages, even routine ship movements were curtailed.[76][77][78]
The RFA recruits ratings either directly from industry (or where they are suitably trained to allow direct entry), or as apprentices whilst undertaking training.
direct from industry (or where they are suitably trained to allow direct entry)
via the RTO (rating-to-officer) programme
as cadets
All new officers take part in a 10-week Initial Naval Training Officers (INT-O) course at BRNC Dartmouth that is designed to familiarise new officers to the RFA and develop leadership skills.
List of Commodores Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Commodores David Eagles and Duncan Lamb at the transfer of command of the RFA in 2020
The post of Commodore of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (COMRFA) was created in 1951, known as Commodore RFA and Deputy Director Royal Navy Afloat Support since 2020, is the senior officer of the RFA.[80] The following people have served as COMRFA:[81][82]
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