First of new Royal Navy tankers on maiden visit to Gibraltar

RFA Tidespring, the first of four new tankers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s fleet, paid her first visit to Gibraltar on October 17.

Sailing with an embarked Merlin helicopter during pre-commissioning workups, the tanker called in on the Rock for routine logistics support.

She is the first of a fleet of four 39,000 tonne Tide-class tankers, capable of carrying up to 19,000 cubic meters of fuel and 1,400 cubic meters of fresh water.

She arrived in the UK earlier this year to join the RFA and is expected to enter service in November.

The tankers will provide key support to the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers as they come into Service, alongside the wider fleet.