Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus visited Malta’s Grand Harbour earlier this week. It is the latest Royal Navy ship to visit Malta, following a visit by HMS Albion earlier this month. RFA Argus serves as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. RFA Argus has a fully equipped 100-bed medical complex on board, which includes an emergency department, resuscitation and surgical facilities, and a radiology suite complete with a CT scanner.
RFA Argus was originally launched in 1981. She was one of the ships taken up from trade by the Ministry of Defence for use as an aircraft transport, ferrying aircraft on deck during the 1982 Falklands War. In 1985, she was converted to an aviation training ship and eventually to a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship in 2009.
Two Royal Navy Merlin HC4s are currently parked on deck, sporting serials ZJ121 and ZJ127. This version of the Merlin is a new aircraft type for the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). It will advance capability for the primary customer, The Royal Marines.
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