1969    

UK Rover class



Support Ship

ships



Support Ship Rover class





  Specifications


50crew
4700light (tn)
11520full load (tn)
140.60length (m)
19.20beam (m)
7.30draught (m)
15000range (nm)
18max speed (knots)
15300power (shp)

2Naval Engine diesel - SEMT Pielstick

2Naval Gun Oerlikon 20mm Mk.7 cannon

helicopter   Aircraft


Typical Max
Landing platform only. No hangar
UK Royal Navy Westland Sea King 02









  Shipyards


UK Hawthorn Leslie - Hebburn3
UK Swan Hunter (Neptune) - Low Walker2



  List of Ships


Filter:     Hide Transfers     Hide derivatives

19691992UKRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryA268RFA Green RoverGYXJ - GN
1992-- ID TNI-AL 903 KRI Arun
19702009UKRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryA269RFA Grey RoverGYXM - GY
19701993UKRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryA270RFA Blue RoverGYXS - BE
1993-- PT Portuguese Navy A5210 NRP Berrio
19742017UKRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryA271RFA Gold RoverGRET - GV
1974--UKRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryA273RFA Black Rover GREU - BV

5 units



  Events


1968-janOrderedOrdered UK A268 RFA Green Rover
1968-janOrderedOrdered UK A269 RFA Grey Rover
1968-janOrderedOrdered UK A270 RFA Blue Rover
1968-feb-28Laid downLaid down UK A268 RFA Green Rover at Swan Hunter (Hebburn) Yard - ex Hawthorne Leslie. Yard No 6.
1968-feb-28Laid downLaid down UK A269 RFA Grey Rover at Swan Hunter (Hebburn) Yard - ex Hawthorne Leslie. Yard No 7.
1968-dec-19LaunchedLaunched UK A268 RFA Green Rover
1968-dec-30Laid downLaid down UK A270 RFA Blue Rover at Swan Hunter (Hebburn) Yard - ex Hawthorne Leslie. Yard No 8.
1969-apr-17LaunchedLaunched UK A269 RFA Grey Rover
1969-aug-15CommissionedCommissioned UK A268 RFA Green Rover
1969-sepDeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover rendered assistance to RFA Appleleaf, towing her back to HMD Devonport
1969-nov-11LaunchedLaunched UK A270 RFA Blue Rover
1970-apr-10CommissionedCommissioned UK A269 RFA Grey Rover
1970-jul-15CommissionedCommissioned UK A270 RFA Blue Rover
1970-novDeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover departed UK for a Far East deployment (via Cape Town), returned by Sep 1971.
1971-sep-17Port VisitPort Visit UK A268 RFA Green Rover In Pool of London to provide a platform for a demonstration of the Harrier capability.
1971-novOrderedOrdered UK A271 RFA Gold Rover
1971-novOrderedOrdered UK A273 RFA Black Rover
1972-aprDeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover joined waters off S E Iceland as Cod War Station tanker to support British trawlers in international waters
1973-marRefitRefit UK A270 RFA Blue Rover Completion of refit to change unreliable original 16000 shp diesel engines to Crossley-Pielstick units
1973-mar-07LaunchedLaunched UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Yard No. 59
1973-oct-20RefitRefit UK A268 RFA Green Rover major engine failure while operating as Cod War Station Tanker and returned to Tyneside for replacement
1973-oct-30LaunchedLaunched UK A273 RFA Black Rover Yard No 60.
1974-mar-22CommissionedCommissioned UK A271 RFA Gold Rover
1974-junRefitRefit UK A268 RFA Green Rover Completion of refit to change unreliable original 16000 shp diesel engines to Crossley-Pielstick untis
1974-jul-10DeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Partition of Cyprus supported evacuations during partition of Cyprus
1974-aug-23CommissionedCommissioned UK A273 RFA Black Rover
1974-sepDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Partition of Cyprus played part in assisting with evacuations toward end of the operation
1974-sep-17DeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover departed HMNB Devonport to support Task Group 317.2 for Far East deployment, joining with HMS Achilles, HMS Diomede, HMS Falmouth, HMS Leander, HMS Lowestoft, HMS Blake, RFA Olna and RFA Stromness, returned Jun 1975.
1974-oct-14Port VisitPort Visit UK A268 RFA Green Rover Visited Simonstown en route Far East deployment, in company with other ships from Task Group 317.2, until 21 Oct.
1975-mar-29DeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover Operation Stella Ordered to coast off South Vietnam from a Far East group deployment, to support small task force in evacuation of British and Commonwealth citizens.
1975-jul-22DeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover departed UK as support for HMS Glamorgan, flagship of global Task Group 317.3, accompanied by RFA Tarbatness and RFA Tidespring. Escorted by elements of the 8th Frigate Squadron HMS Ajax, HMS Berwick, HMS Plymouth and HMS Rothesay. Returned 14 Apr 1976
1975-sepRefitRefit UK A269 RFA Grey Rover diesel Completion of refit to change unreliable original 16000 shp diesel engines to Crossley-Pielstick untis
1977-jan-26DeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover Left Portsmouth with RFA Tidepool and RFA Tarbatness for an Atlantic deployment, supporting HMS Tiger and her escort group until May 1977.
1977-jun-25DeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Fleet Review: Silver Jubilee of HM The Queen Present at Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, off Hill Head
1977-aug-27DeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover present at Plymouth Navy Days 1977
1977-sep-05DeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover Departed HMNB Portsmouth for 7.5 month group deployment (TG 317.6) to Australia and Far East, supporting HMS Tiger and in company with HMS Rhyl, RFA Regent, RFA Tarbatness and RFA Tidepool. Returned 20 Apr 1978.
1978-may-31DeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover departed HMNB Portsmouth supporting HMS Blake, Flagship of Task Group 317.7 for a 6.5 month Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific group deployment in company with HMS Juno, RFA Stromness and RFA Tidespring. This group joined with the Devonport group of HMS Ambuscade, HMS Hermione and HMS Leander, returned to UK 12 Dec 1978.
1979-may-08DeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover departed HMNB Portsmouth supporting HMS Norfolk, Flagship of Task Group 317.8 for a 6.5 month Indian Ocean and Far East group deployment in company with HMS Achilles, HMS Arethusa, HMS Falmouth, RFA Olmeda and RFA Regent. This group joined with the Devonport group of HMS Arrow and HMS Dido, returned to Portsmouth on 14 Dec 1978.
1980-aug-07DeploymentDeployment UK A268 RFA Green Rover Off Grand Cayman with HMS Scylla, for Hurricane Allen relief operations.
1982-apr-16DeploymentDeployment UK A270 RFA Blue Rover Operation Corporate Departed HMNB Portsmouth for South Atlantic as aviation fuel tanker, leaving theatre on 28 Jun 1982.
1983-nov-18DeploymentDeployment UK A270 RFA Blue Rover Operation Offcut ordered to stand off Beirut in support of HMS Glamorgan and HMS Brazen, for assistance to British forces and civilians in Lebanon.
1983-dec-02DeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover Operation Offcut while returning as support tanker from an Armilla Patrol deployment, ordered off Cyprus in readiness to sail to Beirut, if required.
1984-marDeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover North Atlantic deployment including hosting a RAS with USS Austin.
1984-mayDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover in UK waters as FOST tanker
1984-jul-26AircraftAircraft UK A273 RFA Black Rover 829 Sq Active Flt Wasp HAS.1 XT779 /322-AV damaged while landing on deck, during a storm off Belize.
1984-novRefitRefit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover departed Gibraltar after refit
1985-augDeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover Refueled USS Vreeland in the North Atlantic
1985-sep-06Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Three day stop-over off Grand Cayman
1986-junDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Caribbean Flood Relief operations
1986-augDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Armilla Patrol exercised with HMS Illustrious in the Mediterranean while Illustrious made for the Suez Canal. Black Rover supporting the Armilla Patrol at the time.
1988-mayStruckStruck UK A268 RFA Green Rover Put into reserve, on a month notice
1992Fate: transferedFate: transfered UK A268 RFA Green Rover sold to Indonesia as KRI Arun.
1992-aprRefitRefit ID 903 KRI Arun pre commissioning refit for Indonesian Navy for 4 months.
1992-apr-18DeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover while off the coast of Mauritania, supplied drums of foam to Lynx HAS.2 ZD265 / 338-CT as a team from HMS Campbeltown fought to extinguish a fire on a nearby tanker.
1993-febStruckStruck UK A270 RFA Blue Rover removed from service
1993-marFate: transferedFate: transfered UK A270 RFA Blue Rover sold to Portugal as Berrio
1993-mar-31CommissionedCommissioned PT A5210 NRP Berrio
1997-mayDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Operation Caxton In Caribbean, assisting in evacuations from Montserrat with HMS Liverpool until Aug.
1998-junDeploymentDeployment PT A5210 NRP Berrio Evacuation from Bissau (Operation Crocodile) deployed off Guinea-Bissau to assist in evacuation of Portuguese nationals caught up in the civil war.
1998-jun-15RefitRefit UK A269 RFA Grey Rover until 27 Nov 1998
1998-octDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Operation Tellar Sailed from Puerto Rico to participate in Hurricane reilef operations off central America
1999-feb-15RefitRefit UK A273 RFA Black Rover until 20 May 1999
2001-febDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover as Atlantic Patrol Tanker South - APT(S) - until Nov 2001, serving off Sierra Leone and the Falklands
2001-aug-24Port VisitPort Visit UK A269 RFA Grey Rover International Festival of Sea 2001 Present at IFOS Portsmouth.
2002-marRefitRefit UK A273 RFA Black Rover at HMD Portsmouth, until Jun 2002.
2002-oct-14RefitRefit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover until 20 Dec 2002
2003DeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Atlantic Patrol Task (South) Departed UK as Atlantic Tanker South until 2004
2003-jan-30DeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover Operation Telic withdrawn from South Atlantic to support combat operations in Iraq, completing 20 Apr 2003.
2003-apr-20DeploymentDeployment UK A269 RFA Grey Rover departed Persian Gulf in support of HMS Liverpool for Singapore and exercises with the Singapore Navy. Returned to the UK on 7 Aug.
2003-dec-11Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover supported visit to Angola by HMS Glasgow
2005-apr-04DeploymentDeployment PT A5210 NRP Berrio exercising in the N Atlantic with French, Portuguese and Spanish warships.
2005-decDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Atlantic Patrol Task (South) departed HMNB Devonport for South Atlantic to support the APT(S) mission, until c Mar 2008 when relieved by RFA Black Rover.
2006-mar-15StruckStruck UK A269 RFA Grey Rover taken out of service at Portsmouth
2006-jun-01Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Fleet Review: 50th Anniversary of Nigerian Navy joined celebrations for Golden Jubilee of Nigerian Navy, with HMS Chatham.
2007-dec-16Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover visited following an appeal on 7 Dec by Island medical authorities for a contingency re-supply of drugs to combat a virus which caused breathing difficulties.
2008-marDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Atlantic Patrol Task (South) Departed UK as Atlantic Tanker (South) in support of APT(S) mission, relieving RFA Gold Rover. On task c Apr 2008 to mid Apr 2009. Returned to Devonport 6 May 2009.
2008-jul-06RefitRefit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover arrived at Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd (NSSL), in Birkenhead for c 5 month refit.
2009-feb-18Port VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover visited Rio de Janeiro for 4 days, in company with HMS Manchester and departed on 22 Feb.
2009-jun-08RefitRefit UK A273 RFA Black Rover entered Cammell Laird at Birkenhead for refit, until Jan 2010
2009-oct-14Fate: scrappedFate: scrapped UK A269 RFA Grey Rover towed to Liverpool for scrap at Leavesley International, following abandoned sale.
2010-aprDeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Atlantic Patrol Task (South) deployed to South Atlantic as support tanker. Variously supported HMS Gloucester, HMS York, HMS Edinburgh and HMS Clyde during the period. Relieved in Ascension Is by RFA Gold Rover and returned to Portland Harbour 27 Sep 2011.
2010-apr-11RefitRefit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover towed into Cammell Laird dry dock on Merseyside
2011-apr-02Port VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover visited East Cove, departed 15 Apr.
2011-augDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Departed HMNB Devonport for 21 month deployment as Atlantic Tanker South, relieving RFA Black Rover. Relieved in turn by RFA Black Rover and returned to Plymouth on 31 May 2013.
2011-oct-25DeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Staff College Sea Days 2011 Demonstrated Replenishment at Sea (RAS) techniques in the Solent.
2013-may-31Port VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover at Anchorage Delta inside Plymouth Breakwater
2013-julPort VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover 4 day visit off Grytviken, South Georgia
2014-jun-22Port VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover at East Cove Military Port
2014-aug-11Port VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover to Walvis Bay, until 15 Aug
2014-sep-26DeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover departed HMNB Devonport (22 Sep) on her final deployment to the South Atlantic, initially via Portland. Returned to Portland on 16 Feb 2017.
2014-nov-03RefitRefit UK A273 RFA Black Rover arrived Cammell Laird Birkenhead for refit, after de-storing at Glen Mallen. Departed 25 Jan 2015.
2015-mar-17DeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Staff College Sea Days 2015 supported 2015 Sea Days
2015-apr-11DeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover Exercise Joint Warrior 15-1 participated in JW 15-1, off NW Scotland
2015-may-31Port VisitPort Visit UK A273 RFA Black Rover moored in Plymouth Sound. Departed 1 Jun.
2015-junDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover rendezvous with HMS Lancaster and supported her during her Atlantic deployment, until a final RAS on 8 Nov.
2015-jul-26DeploymentDeployment UK A273 RFA Black Rover departed Portland for Birkenhead. Returned under tow 13 Mar 2017.
2015-oct-13Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover visited St Helena, until 15 Oct
2015-novDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Exercise UNITAS Atlantic 2015 only UK representative, off Brazilian coast
2016-feb-29DeploymentDeployment PT A5210 NRP Berrio Exercise Real Thaw 2016 Departed Almada Naval Base to participate in later stages of RT16.
2016-apr-08Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover visited Ascenscion Island until 12 Apr.
2017-febDeploymentDeployment UK A271 RFA Gold Rover performed final RAS with HMS Portland, off west Africa
2017-feb-22Port VisitPort Visit UK A271 RFA Gold Rover entered HMNB Portsmouth for final time, prior to decommissioning
2017-mar-07DecommissionedDecommissioned UK A271 RFA Gold Rover at Portsmouth
2017-mar-22 UK A273 RFA Black Rover moved from Portsmouth to Fareham Creek. Await disposal
2018-marDeploymentDeployment ID 903 KRI Arun Took on severe list during a RAS with KRI Dr Soeharso when ballast pumps failed. Towed to Surabya for repairs.
2019-augFate: scrappedFate: scrapped UK A271 RFA Gold Rover Sold for scrap in Turkey
2019-aug-11Fate: scrappedFate: scrapped UK A273 RFA Black Rover Sold for scrap in Turkey. Departed Portsmouth under tow to Aliaga.









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