The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) plans to sell two Wave-class ships, the RFA Wave Knight (A389) and the RFA Wave Ruler (A390) to the navies of Brazil and Chile, according to British trade publications. Both are demobilized due to the chronic lack of trained crews to operate them, therefore, they must be put up for sale by the end of the year.
The Brazilian Navy, as Infodefensa.com has reported in recent articles on the Brazilian Fleet, needs to replace its only tanker, the Gastão Motta, not only because of its age (32 full years of service) but also because of its unsuitability to navigate in international waters because its construction project is of the monohull type, and not of double hull. as currently determined by international maritime law.
The logistical support of fuel for the ships of an operational group, fresh water, food, parts and components, fuel, lubricants and support hangar for the operation and maintenance of helicopters, among other capabilities, are essential to achieve that lethality desired by its commander.
The Wave Knight entered service in March 2003 and the Wave Ruler in April 2003. These large tankers carry 30,000 tons and have a crew of 80 people, who in the case of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary work together with 22 members of the Royal Navy, responsible for supporting helicopter operations and weapons systems, giving a total of 102 crew on board.