The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a major contract to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for the construction of four new Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tankers for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA).

The Tide-class fleet (comprising RFA Tidespring, RFA Tiderace, RFA Tidesurge and RFA Tideforce) was developed to significantly enhance the Royal Navy’s global operational capability by providing vital logistical support at sea for decades to come. Designed with an operational service life of at least 25 years, the vessels play a critical role in supporting naval operations worldwide through the delivery of fuel, fresh water, ammunition, spare parts, food supplies and other essential resources to Royal Navy vessels while underway.

Following completion of the £450 million programme design, the 37,000-tonne tankers were constructed by DSME in South Korea to exacting military and marine engineering standards. The project represented a major advancement in fleet modernisation for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, replacing the previous generation of single-hulled tankers with safer, more efficient, double-hulled vessels designed to meet modern maritime operational and environmental requirements.

The Tide-class ships incorporate advanced engineering systems, improved fuel transfer capabilities, enhanced survivability features and modern operational technologies to support a wide range of naval missions across the globe. Their introduction has strengthened the UK’s ability to sustain long-duration maritime deployments and support carrier strike group operations wherever required.