Soon to be Crowned the Royal Navy’s Newest Flagship. HMS Bulwark visits London after a extensive refit. 'HMS Bulwark, the second of a new class of assault ship, was launched at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness on 15 November 2001. The seventh ship to carry the name, she was named by Lady Walker, the wife of General Sir Michael Walker. Formally commissioned into the Royal Navy on 28 April 2005, HMS Bulwark is putting the finishing touches to her first major refit period. Taking 8 months, this refit has given Bulwark significant enhancements to her machinery and magazine spaces, her High Voltage propulsion system, advanced communication sensors, IT network capability and defensive weapon upgrades. Another significant improvement has been Bulwark's conversion to full tactical Night Vision capability by her Landing Craft and aircraft and not least the capacity for her to operate two heavy lift Chinook helicopters simultaneously from her flight deck. The ship began 2011 undergoing sea trials and evaluations in order to return to the Fleet 25 Feb; she will now undertake sea training to ensure that the ship and crew are ready in all respects to take over as the Royal Navy's, high readiness, Flag Ship and the challenges that lie beyond. ' Category: