Allied Warships

Light cruisers

Leander class

4 ships


The light cruiser HMS Ajax (22) of the Royal Navy.

Technical information

TypeLight cruiser
Displacement 
Length554.5 feet (oa) 
Complement550 men 
Armament8 6" guns (4x2)
8 4" AA guns (4x2), 4 4" AA guns (4x1) in Achilles
12 .5" MG AA (3x4)
8 21" torpedo tubes (2x4)
1 aircraft
1 catapult 
Max speed32.5 knots
EnginesGeared turbines, 4 shafts 
Power72000 HP 
Notes on classAchilles retained her single 4" AA guns until late in the war, she was only fitted with twin 4" mountings in 1944. The light Anti-Aircraft armament was gradually increased as the war progressed. 

Royal Navy Royal Navy ships of the Leander class

To see all Leander class ships click here.

HMS Ajax (22)
HMS Leander (75)
HMS Neptune (20) Lost on 19 Dec 1941
HMS Orion (85)


4 Light cruisers of the Leander class. 1 of them was lost.

Full wartime service history on this vessel.

See all Royal Navy Light cruiser classes.


Books dealing with this subject include:



Return to the Allied Warships section