BMT Reveals Vision for Multi-Role Strike Ship
BMT has introduced a new conceptual warship design, ELLIDA STRIKE, aimed at shaping the future of the UK Royal Navy’s amphibious strike capabilities.
Announced on September 8, the concept showcases what a next-generation multi-role platform could offer in support of forward-deployed commando forces and evolving maritime operations.
According to BMT, the ELLIDA STRIKE is not a direct answer to the UK Ministry of Defence’s Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) program, but is instead intended as a forward-looking design study aligned with the Royal Navy’s ambitions to recapitalize its aging amphibious fleet.
“Whilst ELLIDA STRIKE is not the final answer, it’s a strong foundation for further development,” said Tim Neild CBE, Head of Business Development for UK & Europe at BMT. “It invites discussion, collaboration and refinement. As the Royal Navy continues to shape its requirements, we stand ready to adapt and evolve our design to meet the needs of tomorrow’s operations.”
The vessel’s design reflects lessons drawn from recent UK defense reviews and BMT’s interpretation of future littoral strike requirements. Built with modularity and operational flexibility at its core, ELLIDA STRIKE offers reconfigurable spaces that can accommodate a range of mission sets—from humanitarian relief and medical support to combat logistics and precision strike roles.
BMT says the platform was conceived to support high-end warfighting and distributed maritime operations. It features a well deck for launching and recovering landing craft and autonomous systems, combined air maneuver capability with both manned and unmanned rotary platforms, and a digital backbone designed to integrate with advanced command-and-control systems.
“Every line of this ship has been drawn with purpose,” said Andy Kimber, Chief Naval Architect at BMT. “From propulsion to topside arrangement, ELLIDA STRIKE is engineered to deliver mission success in any theatre.”
At the heart of the concept is its modular architecture, which allows containerized mission payloads—PODS—for role-specific configurations. In addition to kinetic systems, including long-range precision missiles, the ship emphasizes survivability, networked operations, and human-centered design. BMT notes that onboard ergonomics and crew flow have been optimized to enhance habitability, task efficiency, and operational readiness.
Tim Neild, who once commanded ships of a similar class, said the ELLIDA STRIKE is “the kind of platform every naval officer would want under their command,” calling it “engineered for mission success” and well suited to support the Royal Navy’s amphibious ambitions.
The concept also represents BMT’s broader capability-led approach to naval design. While the ELLIDA STRIKE is not a submission to an active program, it is intended to provoke discussion within the UK defense community as the MRSS program continues to evolve.
BMT’s move comes as the Royal Navy assesses how to replace its current Albion-class and Bay-class vessels with a new generation of amphibious ships that can operate in more dispersed, expeditionary, and threat-intensive environments.
In releasing the concept now, BMT is positioning itself as a ready partner for the UK Ministry of Defence, offering expertise in adaptable ship design, systems integration, and future operational thinking.
The unveiling coincides with growing pressure on NATO navies to modernize fleet structures and invest in platforms that can operate across a wide range of missions—from contested littorals to large-scale crisis response.