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.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Portugal contracts Damen for multi-purpose vessel designed for integrated uncrewed air and sea systems
The new ship’s primary roles will be search and rescue, emergency relief and oceanic research but will also be used for naval support operations and maritime safety.
-
Kongsberg to develop improved Naval Strike Missile
Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile was developed in the early 2000s and delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces from 2011 to 2015. The new missile will be a collaborative project between Norway and Germany and has been planned to be deployed on both countries' naval vessels.
-
France orders seven offshore patrol vessels
The first offshore patrol vessel (OPV) is scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 10 OPVs are expected to be in service by 2035. They are intended to replace the high seas patrol vessels based in Brest and Toulon, as well as the Cherbourg public service patrol boats.
-
Birdon selected for new Australian medium littoral craft with plans for the heavy element to follow
The Royal Australian Navy is developing a new amphibious capability that will allow it to forward position Australian Army units from shore-to-shore or ship-to-shore at long distances. This will enhance the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) rapid deployment capability and ability to operate in a contested environment.
-
Systematic selected to provide C2 solution for German F126 Frigates
The F126 frigate-class has been developed under the MKS 180 frigate programme for the German Navy and has been designed to produce one of the largest German surface warships in more than seven decades.