BMT unveils Ellida Strike amphibious concept

A model of BMT's Ellida Strike concept on display at DSEI 2025. (Janes/Neil Dee)

Ship design and engineering consultancy firm BMT has unveiled its Ellida Strike amphibious ship concept, with the design intended to align with the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) future amphibious fleet recapitalisation, BMT said.

BMT has emphasised that Ellida Strike is not designed exclusively to fulfil requirements for the RN's future Multi Role Strike Ships (MRSS) programme. The MRSS programme is for the acquisition of six ships to replace the decommissioned Albion-class landing platform docks (LPDs), the in-service Bay-class landing ship dock (LSD) auxiliaries, and primary casualty receiving ship Argus.

Concept of operations

Andy Kimber, chief naval architect at BMT said the company has been listening to the RN with regard to future amphibious capability and how the Royal Marines (RM) is developing its concepts of operations. Ellida Strike therefore provides an opportunity to explore features and characteristics in advance of requirements for the MRSS being released, Kimber said at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition held in London. Tim Neild, head of Business Development, UK & Europe at BMT, said Ellida Strike will be capable of undertaking a range of tasks from humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) to high-end warfighting. The ship will be a dedicated warship, Neild said, not a support ship, and is designed to survive and fight in high-end conflicts.