The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that HMS Enterprise will replace HMS Bulwark in support of the EU mission to tackle the migration in the Mediterranean.

HMS Bulwark, an amphibious assault ship equipped with helicopters and landing craft, deployed at short notice on May 5 with the immediate mandate to save lives. During her deployment she saved more than 3,000 lives but is now returning to the UK for planned maintenance, the MOD said.

The ship is being replaced by the much smaller and far less equipped HMS Enterprise, a survey ship normally used to chart the seabed and hunt for mines.

The MOD said the vessel is well suited to the next stage of the EU’s operation, which aims to go after the criminal gangs and smugglers.

"The ship will contribute to the broad maritime capabilities desired by the Italian Operational Commander and will assist in the understanding and picture-building of how the operation will go on to seize and disrupt the assets of smugglers," the MOD said.

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