N07-030-268 HMS OCEAN

HMS Ocean (L12), now Atlantico, was British and is now a Brazilian Landing Platform Helicopter, the keel of which was laid in May 1994, launched in October 1995 and fully completed in September 1998 . The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 203.4 m, width 35 m, with a displacement of about 21,500 tons. In turn, the maximum speed did not exceed 18-19 knots. The ship's armament, while serving in the Royal Navy, included, among others: 4 20mm DS30M cannons or 3 20mm Vulcan Phalanx CIWS sets. The ship could provide air operations for about 18-20 helicopters, as well as carry a landing of 830 soldiers. HMS Ocean (L12) was constructed for the needs of the Royal Navy as a specialized helicopter capable of securing amphibious operations. The British Navy at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s aimed at acquiring several such ships (from 2 to 3), but with the end of the Cold War and the reduction of the budget, it was able to allocate funds for the purchase of only one vessel of this type. The HMS Ocean project was based on Invincible-class light aircraft carriers, and its construction drew on a lot of experience gained from their operation. Finally, a unit was created that is considered very successful, well suited to the role for which it was designed and of high combat value. In the course of his service in the Royal Navy, HMS Ocean (L12) operated off the coast of Sierra Leone (approx. 2000), as well as in the Persian Gulf region, securing British operations in Afghanistan (2001) and taking part in the Second Gulf War ( 2003). In 2011, HMS Ocean (L12) operated in the Mediterranean Sea, securing operations in Libya. The ship was sold to Brazil in 2018, where it serves under the name Atlantico, largely for reasons of savings by the Royal Navy.