Final landmarks in sight for UK’s River-class OPV programme
The arrival in Portsmouth later this month of the UK’s fifth and final Batch 2 River-class OPV will be one of the final landmarks of a programme that has delivered no shortage of controversy, but also provided the RN with a quintet of capable platforms that look well-placed to contribute to the country’s maritime security operations.
Currently undergoing trials in UK waters, HMS Spey will begin to transition from the Blue Ensign to the white of the RN in Portsmouth as the ship’s crew take over from BAE Systems. The vessel will sail under the White Ensign to work up
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries confirmed to Shephard that the company is awaiting the Peruvian government’s decision to allow it to move forward with the production of the HDS-1500 submarine.
-
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
-
“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.