UK MoD invests £20 million for Royal Navy OPVs
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has committed £20 million to its plans to purchase three new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Navy, with the signing of a contract with shipbuilder BAE Systems.
The contract will enable BAE Systems to begin work on parts such as the engines and gearboxes ahead of the commencement of the main shipbuilding programme.
The MoD announced in November 2013 that it would purchase the OPVs to add capability to the Royal Navy fleet, while plugging a construction gap at the BAE Systems shipyards on the Clyde in Scotland.
Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, said: ‘This £20 million is a significant milestone, critical to the successful delivery of these three vessels for the Royal Navy. The OPVs will not only provide an additional capability for the UK but also at its peak, the OPV programme will safeguard more than 800 vital skilled roles in the shipbuilding industry.’
The plan is for the OPVs to support counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the waters around the UK and other UK interests abroad. Compared to the current River Class ships, the new OPVs will have more storage and accommodation facilities and a larger flight deck for Merlin helicopters. The first OPV is expected to be delivered to the Royal Navy in 2017.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV]()
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
![Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand]()
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
-
![The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement]()
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
-
![Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?]()
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
![US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production]()
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
