Ensign of the Royal Welsh Navy
This is the list of the current Welsh Royal Naval Fleet. All Welsh ships are prefixed with "LPM" which is Welsh for Llong Prydeinig ei Mawrhydi or in English "His Brythonic Majesty's Ship" (In English speaking countries Welsh ships are known by the English abbreviation HBMS)
Pennant Numbers
The Welsh Navy operates a different pennant system to the US or the Anglo-Scottish Commonwealth navies. Based on the welsh language it operates according to linguistic norms for Welsh rather than English or international norms. Some ship types do match up with international code (such as DDG) but many are Welsh peculiar.
Cludwyr Awyren - Aircraft Carriers[]
The Welsh fleet operates two aircraft carriers at the moment, these being the Hydd Gwyn (White Hart) and the Baedd Du (Black Boar) with the Hydd Gwyn serving as the Fleets Flagship. These are old ships, built from the original Malta Class designs from the UKES dating to the second World War. Following pressure from the Americans' the Welsh Government authorised the purchase of the design of the ships and built them in the Caerodor Shipyards during the early 1950's. Several refits have been required over the years to maintain the ships as fit for duty, the last such refit being in 1988. The leading military debate in Wales was whether or not to replace these aging ships with newer aircraft carriers built from the Queen Elizabeth Class designs of the Anglo-Scottish Navy. In 2010 it was decided to proceed with the order for one new carrier from this class, which launched for fitting in 2014.
HBMS White Hart as at 1988 prior to the 1990 refit
Dosbarth Malta
Bridge of the White Hart in early 2010
CA01: Llong Prydeinig ei Mawrhydi (LPM ) Hydd Gwyn - His Brythonic Majesties Ship (HBMS) White Hart
CA02: Llong Prydeinig ei Mawrhydi (LPM) Baedd Du - HBMS Black Boar
[]
Rafale NF1 of 771 Sqn, HMBS Black Boar
The navy flies six squadrons of aircraft split into two wings (for carrier Sqns) and further flights for the remaining ship classes. The aircraft flown include the F/A 18 Strike Hornet, the Rafale M, the Dassault Super Etendard, the Hawkeye and the Greyhound. In its rotary wing squadrons, the Naval Air Wing flies the NH90, the Eurocopter Dauphin 65 and the AB412 Gryfen.
In 1956 the White Hart was accepted into service with the Navy. The first aircraft purchased were in the main US built or US designs built by the Welsh Air Industry. The White Hart fielded a mix of types flown by Air Force pilots, a tradition carried on today, trained by the US Navy. On January the 1st 1957 771, 772, 773, 774 Naval Air Squadrons stood up and deployed from Pembroke Dock Air Station to great media fanfare.
No 771 and 772 Squadrons flew the fighters and attack aircraft, Skyray NF1s and Skyraider NA1s. 773 flew Anti-submarine and Electronic warfare aircraft, the S2 Tracker and Gannet. 774 flew helicopters and support aircraft such as the SH 34 and Trader.
In 1958 the second vessel in the class was taken on and more aircraft bought. These remained Air Force flown and again were sourced from the US. Pilots universally hated the Skyray but those flying the Skyraider or Spad as it was known, loved the big heavy fighter-bomber. In 1964 both ships were refitted to take bigger airframes and better Welsh built catapult systems based on those in use on British Carriers. The Skyraiders were retired and the F4 Phantom II came into service. The F8 Crusader, A5 Vigilante and SH3 Sea K
Ysbryd NF4 of 771 Sqwn Jun 1966
ing followed.
The Crusader, Phantom and Sea King would remain the mainstays of the Air fleet and in 1968 the A4 Skyhawk would join the fleet.
LPM Hydd Gwyn Air Wing as at 01 Mar 1974
No 771 Sqwn - Ysbyryd NF4 (F4 Phantom)
No 772 Sqwn - Crusader NF1/Skyhawk NA4
No 773 Sqwn - Tracker NS2/Tracer NE2/Gannet NS6/Vigilante NR5
No 774 Sqwn - Sea King NH3
Project 2020 Cludwyr Awyren – LPM Caledfwlch[]
CA03 - LPM Caledfwlch
The first decade of the 21st century saw an internal turf war between the three services. The Navy wanted to replace its aging carriers with modern ships. In 2010 it was decided to proceed with the order for one new carrier to take the Welsh Carrier fleet into the 21st Century. After looking at bids from the United States, Spain and Italy it was decided to proceed with the Anglo-French CVA (Queen Elizabeth) class of carriers. Welsh naval aviation tradition had been since its inception a ‘cats & traps’ configuration, so the decision was to proceed with the French variant of the carrier. The new class was named the Dosbarth Cleddyf (Sword Class) and the ship was to be named the LPM Caledfwlch (Excaliber). The Malta class ships would be maintained until 2020 when they would be phased out of service. It was also decided that the Navy would purchase new fighter aircraft to fly from the Caledfwlch and the bids were between the new F35 –Lightning or the latest Hornet (F18-F). The existing familiarity with the Hornet airframe decided in its favour. The Defence Review 2011 however, saw the Army and Air Force chiefs force the cancellation of the Navy's project. The projected costs of the new carrier was such that the Air Force in particular would face devastating cuts and the Army also would have to see swinging cuts to allow the Navy to proceed with its 'vanity' project. Due to pressure brought to bear by the two services, the carrier was cancelled as part of the review.
Design View of Dosbarth Cleddyf
Dinistriwr - Destroyers (Sometimes called Taflegryn Llong - Missile Ships)[]
To complement the aircraft carriers the Navy has purchased from the American's four Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The purchase is of Flight IIA versions, which came into active service in 2000. In a slight departure for Welsh warships the class name was a reversion to British practices and it is called the "D Class" or Dosbarth D
Dosbarth D - Originally Arleigh Burke class
DDG401: LPM Dug (Duke)
LPM Daionus
DDG403: LPM Daionus (The Beneficial)
DDG405: LPM Diflin (The Indefatigable)
DDG407: LPM Disglair (The Brilliant)
Math ar Ysgafyn Llong (Ysgafyn Long/Ffreigad) - Frigates[]
The Welsh Navy currently operates two different class of frigates, all of which were built in Wales under licence from the United States. The Prince Class are originally Oliver Perry Class frigates, the rights to build five of which were bought by the government in 1981 with the lead ship (LPM Owain Tywysog Gwynedd) being launched in 1984. The Navy also runs older Knox Class frigates under the classification Dosbarth Priff (Capital Class)
HMBS Briallen, a Welsh built Perry class.
Dosbarth Tywysog (Prince Class) - Originally Perry Class
YL01: LPM Maredudd Tywysog Powys
YL03: LPM Alecsander Tywysog Powys
YL05: LPM Briallen Tywysoges Powys
YL07: LPM Owain Tywysog Gwynedd
YL09: LPM Cystennin Tywysog Morgannwg
Dosbarth Prif (Capital Class) - Originally Knox Class
YL02: LPM Caerdydd
YL04: LPM Caernarfon
YL06: LPM Caerodor
YL08: LPM Llwydlo
Cawell Llong - Corvettes[]
The Welsh Navy operates corvettes for its close-to-shore protection and currently runs the Dosbarth Sant which is based on the Italian Minerva Class corvettes. Three of these ships were built in Italy with the rest being built in Welsh Shipyards. Currently the Welsh Navy is working with the Norwegian Navy purchasing the Skold Class corvette to complement and eventually replace the current corvettes of the fleet. The first of the new ships came on line in 2007.
Dosbarth Sant (Saint Class) - Originally Minerva Class
CL 100: LPM Dewi Sant (Scrapped 2014)
LPM Dewi Sant
CL 102: LPM Samson Sant (To be phased out by 2016)
CL 104: LPM Teilo Sant (Scrapped 2013)
CL 106: LPM Derfel Sant (To be phased out by 2016)
CL 108: LPM Mael Sant (Sold 2012)
CL 110: LPM Dyfrig Sant (Sold 2012)
CL 112: LPM Asaph Sant (Sold 2012)
Dosbarth Plas (Palace Class) - Proposed - Originally Skold Class
CL 114: LPM Garth Celyn (Commissioned 2007)
CL 116: LPM Montgomery (Commissioned 2008)
LPM Garth Celyn
CL 118: LPM Dinefwr (Commissioned 2010)
CL 120: LPM Sycharth (Commissioned 2012)
CL 122: LPM Cwm Hyfred (Commissioned 2013)
Ysgubwr Mwnglawdd - Minehunters[]
This is a class of ship built and designed solely in Wales. It is similar to the Sandown class of the Royal Navy. Currently the Welsh fleet operates four of these ships
Dosbarth Sir (County Class)
YM301: LPM Ceredigion
YM305: LPM Gower
YM302: LPM Kidwelli
YM304: LPM Ergyng
Ympryd Ymosodiad Cwch (Fast Attack Boat) - Helicopter Patrol Vessel[]
This is a small class of boats, bought from the Royal Dutch Navy. The "Holland Class Patrol Vessel" designed for close support with the Royal Welsh Coastguard is top of the range and brand new. Considered part of the conversion from a blue water fleet to a brown water fleet (High Seas to Coastal) this is a craft that whilst under gunned at time of purchase (2009) has considerable scope for upgrading. The radar system for example is a market leader and is designed for missile use which the ships at the moment do not carry. The ships operate the NH90 marine Helicopter as well. After purchasing the vessels the Welsh Navy renamed the class "Y Mers" or Marcher Class
Dosbarth Y Mers (Marcher Class)
YYC 601: LPM Y Mers (Commissioned 2010)
YYC 601 Y Mers on sea trials off Y Doc Penfro
YYC 602: LPM Henffordd (Due to be commissioned 2012)
Auxillary Vessels[]
LPM Henrietta (Fleet Oiler)
LPM Elen (Oil Recovery Ship)
LPM Lennox (Troop Transport Ship)
LPM Glyndwr (Sail Training Ship)
LPM Mortimer (Sail Training Ship)
LPM Bren (Training Ship)
Llong Danfor - Submarine Flotilla[]
The Welsh Navy operates the diesel electric submarines from the British Upholder Class. Wales has always operated British built submarines, having previously operated Oberon class submarines (LDK's 20-25) which saw service from 1968-1992). With the development of the Upholder class and the aging Oberon fleet, the decision was taken to replace them. Originally the order was for 12 submarines, although this was later scaled back to 8 submarines. Whilst the Oberons fired the Mark 48 torpedo, the Upholders fire the Spearfish and once the boats came under Welsh control a complete refit occurred replacing British built common parts with Welsh built replacements. The fire control system was also exchanged for a Vickers built version.
Dosbarth Marchog (Knight Class) - Originally Upholder Class
LDK 26: LPM Lancelot
LPM Cai
LDK 27: LPM Cai
LDK 28: LPM Bedwyr
LDK 29: LPM Bors
LDK 30: LPM Pellinore
LDK 31: LPM Galahad
LDK 32: LPM Gwalchmai
LDK 33: LPM Peredur
Squadrons and Flotillas - Pre 2011 Defence Review[]
The Fleet is split into two main CACC's (Cludwyr Awyren Cylch Cad - Aircraft Carrier Battle Group)
CACC 01: Comprises the following ships
- LPM Hydd Gwyn
- LPM Dug
- LPM Daionus
- LPM Maredudd Tywysog Powys
- LPM Llwydlo
- LPM Lancelot
- LPM Galahad
CACC 02
- LPM Baerd Du
- LPM Diflin
- LPM Disglair
- LPM Briallen Tywysoges Powys
- LPM Caernarfon
- LPM Gwalchmai
- LPM Bedwyr
1st Escort Squadron
- LPM Alecsander Tywysog Powys
- LPM Owain Tywysog Gwynedd
- LPM Cystennin Tywysog Morgannwg
- LPM Caerdydd
- LPM Caerodor
Inshore Squadron (North)
- LPM Dewi Sant
- LPM Samson Sant
- LPM Teilo Sant
Inshore Squadron (West 1) - Grouped for anti-pirate/smuggling and fisheries protection
- LPM Garth Celyn
- LPM Montgomery
- LPM Dinefwr
- LPM Y Mers
Inshore Squadron (West 2) - Grouped for anti-pirate/smuggling and fisheries protection
- LPM Asaph Sant
- LPM Sycharth
- LPM Cwm Hyfred
- LPM Henffordd
Inshore Squadron (Gwlad yr Haf)
- LPM Derfel Sant
- LPM Mael Sant
- LPM Dyfrig Sant