The principal role of RFA Argus is to serve as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. She has a fully equipped 100-bed medical complex on board, which includes an emergency department, resuscitation and surgical facilities, and a radiology suite complete with a CT scanner.
Originally launched in 1981 as the commercially owned and operated CONTENDER BEZANT, a combination freight, roll on and roll off ferry (RORO) and container ship. She was one of the ships taken up from trade by the MoD for use in the 1982 Falklands War.
1984-88 converted to aviation training ship.
Renamed ARGUS. Pennant No. A135