For two decades, the Wave Class platforms sustained British and allied naval forces in major theatres worldwide. Designed for high-tempo fleet operations, they combine speed, endurance, aviation facilities and full Replenishment-at-Sea capability in a modern double-hulled platform built to full naval standards.
The vessels have been maintained in extended readiness and preserved in class, and the company said they remain in excellent technical condition. Inocea stated that their rapid availability supports credible deterrence at a time of sustained pressure on allied naval forces.
The company described the tankers as strategic enablers that extend the endurance, independence and expeditionary capability of naval task groups. Returning them to service is intended to meet what it called an urgent requirement for rapidly deployable, world-class logistical support.
Inocea said it would draw on its experience in building, refitting, owning, operating and maintaining similar ships, including Combat Support Ship Asterix. Since 2018, Asterix has served 21 NATO and allied forces in 536 operations.
Wave Knight and Wave Ruler will be reactivated to full operational readiness under class and flag-state requirements. They will then be operated by Inocea companies in support of allied navies.
Alex Vicefield, co-owner of Inocea Group, said: “Wave Knight and Wave Ruler are exceptional ships. They have a long life ahead of them supporting critical naval missions worldwide. Their availability is fortuitous and Inocea will leverage its proven capability to address the growing global strain on naval manpower and force structures.
Our goal is simple: ensure these exceptional ships can, for decades to come, support allied fleets, extend operational reach, and strengthen allied maritime readiness.”
James Davies, co-owner of Inocea Group, said: “We have worked with the British government, industry partners and allied end-users to ensure these ships are quickly reactivated and entered into service.
With this acquisition, Inocea continues its focus on providing strategically important naval capability through unique service models, ensuring these much-needed assets remain active contributors to allied security.”
Following reactivation, both ships are expected to provide frontline service for at least 20 years. Their original design standards and machinery margins were intended for sustained global deployment rather than short-term use.
During their service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the tankers supported continuous UK and allied operations in the Arabian Gulf under Operation KIPION and sustained NATO task groups during Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR off Libya. They also contributed to counter-piracy and maritime security missions in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, delivered humanitarian aid after major Caribbean hurricanes, supported counter-narcotics operations in the Atlantic and repeatedly acted as fleet ready tankers extending the reach of multinational naval forces.
Inocea is a British international marine, industrial and defence technology group specialising in the design, construction, ownership and operation of complex maritime assets. The company operates five major shipyard facilities across the United States, Finland and Canada and states that its Federal Fleet division is internationally recognised for the conversion, ownership and operation of Combat Support Ship Asterix.
