The Fearless-class landing platform docks were the first purpose-built amphibious assault vessels in the Royal Navy. The class comprised two ships: and .
Designed as landing platform docks (LPD), they were designed to transport and land troops by sea either using Landing Craft Utility (LCU) or helicopters. As constructed, the ships have an internal dock that is accessed via the sternâÂÂwhile in port, vehicles can drive up the stern ramp and into the internal vehicle decks. At sea, the ships could partially submerge themselves at the stern, flooding the internal dock and allowing landing craft to come right up to the edge of the vehicle deck.
Each ship carried four LCUs in the stern dock, with four smaller landing craft on davits on the superstructure. They provided accommodation for up to 400 troops, which could be increased to 700, if no vehicles were carried.
Intrepid was put into extended reserve in 1991, effectively removing her from active service. While in this state, she was used as a source of spares to maintain Fearless. Intrepid was finally withdrawn from service in August 1999. Fearless was kept in service, and continued to be deployed in concert with until the end of 2002, when she too was withdrawn from service, ready for the to enter the fleet. The Fearless class were the last steam-powered surface vessels in Royal Navy service.
Sailed from Portsmouth on 6â¯Aprilâ¯1982 as part of Operation Corporate Task Force. She carried the staff of Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW) Michael Clapp and the Commanding Officer of 3â¯Commando Brigade, Brigadier Julian Thompson, acting as the afloat headquarters for planning and coordination of the Sanâ¯Carlos landings. During the landings at Sanâ¯Carlos Water on 21âÂÂ22â¯May, Fearlessâ landing craft put ashore elements of 3â¯Commando Brigade and troops of 5â¯Infantry Brigade, establishing the beachhead that would drive the advance towards Portâ¯Stanley.
On 8â¯Juneâ¯1982, two of her LCVP landing craft (Foxtrotâ¯4 and Foxtrotâ¯7) rescued survivors from the frigate after it was struck by Argentine aircraft; Royal Marine Corporal Alan White earned a Task Force Commander's Commendation for rescuing 41 crew with Foxtrotâ¯7, and Colour Sergeant Brian Johnston was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal after his actions in Foxtrotâ¯4. Fearless remained on station until the cessation of hostilities on 14â¯Juneâ¯1982, then returned to Portsmouth after nearly three months away.
Sailed from Portland on 26â¯Aprilâ¯1982 following a rapid workâÂÂup and joined the South Atlantic task group for amphibious operations. Between 26â¯April and 5â¯May, she carried Commando Headquarters and Royal Marinesâ landing craft, rehearsing landings en route to Ascension Island and then Sanâ¯Carlos Water. IntrepidâÂÂs boats helped deploy beach reconnaissance teams on the night of 20âÂÂ21â¯May to survey landing sites under cover of darkness.
On 27 May, an A-4B Skyhawk of Argentine Grupo 5 was damaged by 40mm Bofors fire from Intrepid while over San Carlos Water and later crashed near Port Howard.
After the Argentine surrender on 14â¯Juneâ¯1982, Intrepid remained in the islands to assist with the distribution of supplies. She sailed from Sanâ¯Carlos Water on 26â¯Juneâ¯1982 and arrived back at Portsmouth on 14â¯Julyâ¯1982.