Replenishment oiler RFA Tidesurge (A138)

RFA Tidesurge, a Tide-class replenishment oiler within the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), was constructed by DSME in 2017 and officially joined RFA service on February 20, 2019.

As the third vessel in this class, Tidesurge was built at the DSME shipyard in Okpo, Geoje, South Korea. Her construction began on December 7, 2015, and she was launched six months later on July 4, 2016. Following her launch, a series of builder's sea trials commenced. In November 2017, she formed a close association with the Republic of Korea Navy frigate ROKS Daegu. After the completion of these trials, Tidesurge departed from Opko, making stopovers at United States Fleet Activities Sasebo in Japan and Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. Passing through the Panama Canal into the Atlantic Ocean, she anchored off Antigua before continuing her journey to Falmouth, England, arriving on March 27, 2018. At the A&P Falmouth shipyard, she underwent customization, including the installation of self-defense weaponry, communication systems, and armor. Further testing and trials occurred in British waters, including helicopter landing trials with a Chinook helicopter in November 2018, marking a first for the class. Her formal induction into the RFA fleet took place on February 20, 2019, in a ceremony attended by her Lady Sponsor, Joanna Woodcock, in Greenock, the ship's affiliated town.

In May 2019, Tidesurge joined other RFA vessels, Fort Victoria and Tideforce, to support the latter's sea trials, marking the first «Tide-to-Tide» RAS ever conducted. Shortly after, Tidesurge was involved in the interception of an Iranian oil tanker named Grace I, suspected to be heading to Syria. Royal Marines boarded the oil tanker via a Wildcat helicopter launched from Tidesurge. The tanker was detained in Gibraltar, sparking condemnation from Iran, and was later released. Operating extensively between her induction and August, Tidesurge saw increased operational demand in various regions, including the Norwegian Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Arctic Circle, even hosting an 814 Naval Air Squadron Merlin helicopter.

In October 2019, she participated in Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) and joined the Exercise Joint Warrior, a significant NATO military drill in Scotland, conducting a RAS with the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Donald Cook, a first for her class.

In January 2020, Tidesurge underwent general maintenance and repairs at Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead, England. Later, in October 2023, reports indicated that the vessel was once again in dry dock at Cammell Laird for a refit.