BAE starts building second UK OPV
BAE Systems in Glasgow has started construction on the second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Royal Navy, the future HMS Medway, on 8 June.
The vessel is the second of three River Class Batch 2 OPVs, with construction of the first vessel, HMS Forth, well underway in Glasgow. The first OPV is due for delivery in 2017. The third vessel, HMS Trent, is expected to begin construction by the end of the year.
The OPV has a length of 90m, maximum speed of 24 knots and a range of over 5,000 nautical miles. It has a flight deck that can operate Merlin helicopters and larger stores and accommodation for troops.
The three vessels are the first to be built with BAE System's Shared Infrastructure operating system, which will be rolled out across the navy's surface fleet over the coming decade. The Shared Infrastructure system uses virtual technologies to integrate sensors, management and weapon systems in warships. It replaces multiple large consoles with a single hardware solution.
Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, said: 'These new ships are an important part of the £160 billion we are investing over the next decade in the equipment our armed forces need. The contract will benefit the dedicated workers of the Clyde, their families and the local economy in Glasgow. And the investment will ensure these shipyards continue to develop into world class engineering facilities at the heart of a thriving British naval shipbuilding capability.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities]()
How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
![European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026]()
European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.
-
![Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies]()
Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.
