HMS Dagger arrives in Gibraltar
HMS Dagger is the second of two HPB-1900 high-speed patrol craft to be delivered to the RN in Gibraltar. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
With its sister boat HMS Cutlass, HMS Dagger will patrol territorial waters around Gibraltar and support UK defence exercises.
The second of two HPB-1900 high-speed patrol craft, designed by Marine Specialised Technology Group and BMT, has been delivered to the RN Gibraltar Squadron.
HMS Dagger joins HMS Cutlass, which was formally handed over in 2021 for trials before the RN declared IOC for the patrol boat in early 2022.
Dagger must now undergo a series of sea trials and safety checks ‘prior to raising the White Ensign in mid-2022’, said her CO, Lt Simon Holden.
The two £5 million boats replace HMS Sabre and HMS Scimitar, which returned to the UK in mid-2020. Since then, HMS Dasher and HMS Pursuer acted as the principal RN presence around Gibraltar, joining Pacific 24 rigid-hull inflatable boats on patrols.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
