New patrol craft to replace Gibraltar Squadron's interim Archer class
The UK RN’s Gibraltar Squadron looks set to benefit from the introduction of two new patrol craft, after a 24 July announcement by the MoD revealed a £9.9 million ($12.6 million) contract award to UK-based Marine Specialised Technology (MST) for vessel manufacture and platform support.
Tasked with patrolling and securing Gibraltar’s territorial waters, the RN operates from HMNB Gibraltar which is strategically located at the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. The base regularly hosts UK and allied naval vessels operating in the region, with patrol craft providing force protection for visiting ships.
However, NATO ally Spain refuses to recognise
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order]()
Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order
Saab Kockums was initially awarded the contract to build two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy in 2015, but the programme has faced delays and escalating costs.
-
![Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice]()
Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice
If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.
-
![US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials]()
US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
-
![Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept]()
Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept
The Goksur will be available in a range of configurations and could be integrated into Turkey’s nascent Steel Dome which is designed to provide multi-layered protection against a range of aerial targets from mortars to aircraft.
