BMT to design new patrol boats for Gibraltar Squadron
BMT on 14 September announced a ‘major design milestone’ in the programme to build two new 19m fast patrol boats with a top speed of 40kt for the UK RN’s Gibraltar Squadron.
The two 16m-long patrol craft previously in service with the Gibraltar Squadron, HMS Scimitar and HMS Sabre, are being returned to the UK after 17 years in Gibraltar waters.
BMT will design the new boats for Marine Specialised Technology (MST), which was awarded a £9.9 million ($12.6 million) contract by the MoD in July for vessel manufacture and platform support.
The company is also providing a bespoke integrated logistics support package as part of this programme.
Chief executive Sarah Kenny noted that the design project is ‘technically challenging’, but added: ‘This latest contract underscores our agility in producing carefully tailored designs that suit each individual operator’s particular requirements.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Boats
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
-
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
-
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.