Wave-class tanker

A contract was placed for the vessels in 1997 with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (Marconi Marine VSEL). Construction of Wave Knight began in 1998 at VSEL's Barrow-in-Furness yard and the ship was launched in 2000. With the acquisition of Marconi Electronic Systems and its Marconi Marine subsidiary in 1999 British Aerospace became BAE Systems. BAE now owns VSEL in Barrow and the Yarrow and Govan shipyards on the Clyde. BAE transferred the construction of Wave Ruler to Govan in 2000 and the vessel was launched in 2001. Both vessels were commissioned in 2003. == Design ==

The ships have the capability to supply fuel and other liquid cargo to vessels using replenishment rigs on port and starboard beams and through a Hudson reel-type stern rig. When providing support for amphibious operations, the ships are also able to deliver fuel to dracones positioned alongside. The equipment load includes cranes (for stores handling and abeam replenishment), steering and rudder gear, thyristor-controlled winch/windlasses and double drum mooring winches. Up to of liquids and of general solids can be carried. In addition, reverse-osmosis equipment is fitted enabling the production of of drinkable water per day. == Construction programme ==

The vessels were constructed in twelve modular segments that were subsequently assembled. For RFA Wave Knight, the cargo tankage was fabricated at Harland and Wolff in Belfast, while the 1,000-tonne stern block was produced at Cammell Laird in Newcastle and shipped by sea to Barrow. The funnel was sourced from Appledore Shipbuilders in North Devon. In contrast, RFA Wave Ruler was predominantly built at Govan, although some of the steel components originated from Barrow. == Decommissioning and fate ==

In June 2018 it was reported by the Brazilian press that the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MoD) had offered to sell one or both of the Wave-class tankers to Brazil. As early as 2010, BAE Systems had proposed providing Brazil with a variant of the Wave-class, tailored to meet the specific aviation, stores and personnel requirements of the Brazilian Navy. In June 2020, RFA Wave Ruler was reported to be in extended readiness (uncrewed reserve) but maintained in good condition and available for re-activation. In February 2022, it was reported that both tankers of the class would be kept in "extended readiness". However, in the same month James Cartlidge, the then Minister of State for Defence Procurement, stated that both ships were to be retained in extended readiness until 2028 with the option of potentially reactivating them if required. On 20 November 2024, the Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced that both Wave-class oilers were to be decommissioned by March 2025, three years earlier than initially planned, in order to reduce expenses. On 18 February 2026, Inocea Group announced the purchase of both Wave-class ships, with the intention of fitting them up for active service with allied nations. ==Gallery==

File:RFA Wave Knight (A-389).jpg|Wave Knight prepares to transfer fuel to the amphibious assault ship during a replenishment at sea. File:RFA Wave Ruler (A390).jpg|Wave Ruler underway with a United States Coast Guard Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin helicopter embarked File:Wave Ruler refuels Robert G Bradley.jpg|Wave Ruler (background) refuels in the Pacific Ocean. File:US Navy 070409-N-5459S-082 From right to left, RFA Wave Ruler (A390), USS Mahan (DDG 72), CS Almirante Latorre (FFG 14), FGS Sachsen (F 219), and USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) navigate together in formation during an exercise.jpg|Wave Ruler (foreground), , Almirante Latorre, Sachsen, and navigate in formation. File:RAF Wave Knight replenishing French frigate Germinal.jpg|Wave Knight resupplying French frigate Germinal. == See also ==