RN commissions HMS Spey
HMS Spey was commissioned into the RN on 18 June. (Photo: RN)
The fifth and final River-class Batch 2 OPV officially joins the UK fleet.
The UK RN commissioned HMS Spey as its final River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) on 18 June in a ceremony in Invergordon.
The RN operates two generations of River-class OPV.
The first – comprising HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey – were built by Vosper Thorneycroft in Southampton and have been operating since the early 2000s, primarily helping to protect fishing stocks but also fulfilling general duties at home and abroad.
The second generation, which includes HMS Spey, were Clyde-built and are larger, faster and even more capable, the RN noted in a statement.
HMS Forth is the UK’s permanent presence in the South Atlantic; HMS Medway supports British Overseas Territories in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, while HMS Trent is in the Mediterranean and HMS Tamar is available for tasking by the UK Government.
At just over 90m long, the ships feature a flight deck large enough for an RN Merlin helicopter and room on board for up to 50 embarked Royal Marines as well as 45 crew.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US and European special operators test Icelandic AI-based solution for marine platforms]()
US and European special operators test Icelandic AI-based solution for marine platforms
Hefring Marine IMAS was designed to optimise vessels’ operation.
-
![US Navy expands GARC sUSV deployment]()
US Navy expands GARC sUSV deployment
The small, unmanned surface vehicle will operate this year in multiple operations and military exercises worldwide.
-
![Another $18.4 billion committed to USN Virginia-class submarines]()
Another $18.4 billion committed to USN Virginia-class submarines
The contract was awarded to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). As well as for the building of the boats, contract money will also go towards improving productivity at the shipyards, workforce support and other investment.
-
![The Netherlands cleared to purchase $2.2 billion in Tomahawk missiles]()
The Netherlands cleared to purchase $2.2 billion in Tomahawk missiles
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
-
![The Philippines strengthens maritime defences amid rising tensions in South China Sea]()
The Philippines strengthens maritime defences amid rising tensions in South China Sea
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
-
![Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA]()
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
