Royal Navy accepts OPV
The Royal Navy has accepted the delivery of its newest Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), HMS Forth, from BAE Systems at the company’s Scotstoun shipyard.
Forth completed maiden sea trials in December and will now sail to Portsmouth where the vessel will be commissioned into Royal Navy service.
The new OPV fleet will carry out a range of roles for the navy, including counter-terrorism, anti-piracy and anti-smuggling. The rest of the fleet, HMS Medway, HMS Trent, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, are all expected to enter service by 2020.
The 90m vessels will be equipped with a 30mm cannon and a flight deck capable of receiving a Merlin helicopter. Displacing around 2,000 tonnes, they will have a maximum speed of 24 knots and will be able to sail 5,500 nautical miles before having to resupply.
Defence Minister Guto Bebb said: ‘Thanks to the hard work of the Clyde shipyards, HMS Forth is now ready to join the Royal Navy surface fleet and begin the vital task of defending the UK and her interests around the world.’
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Swedish Visby frigates to get air defence system under $166 million contract]()
Swedish Visby frigates to get air defence system under $166 million contract
Saab announced in 2021 that it had signed an agreement with Swedish defence procurement for the development of plans for a Visby upgrade. One aspect of the upgrade is for the introduction of a surface-to-air missile capability.
-
![Malaysia signs NSM launcher deal, issues Littoral Combat Ships support LOI and acquires first USV]()
Malaysia signs NSM launcher deal, issues Littoral Combat Ships support LOI and acquires first USV
As LCS delays persist, RMN re-arms Lekiu-class frigates and embraces unmanned systems amid budget constraints.
-
![Boeing to upgrade Royal Australian Navy communications system]()
Boeing to upgrade Royal Australian Navy communications system
The improvements to the navy fleet are part of a vision to create a single integrated network to enhance transmissions across the Australian Defence Force (ADF) incorporating its naval, air and land forces.
-
![Japanese navy bets on autonomous technology for the future]()
Japanese navy bets on autonomous technology for the future
Faced with persistent recruitment shortfalls, the JMSDF has turned to unmanned surface and underwater systems to maintain operational capability.
-
![First Type 31 frigate for UK Royal Navy rolls out of construction]()
First Type 31 frigate for UK Royal Navy rolls out of construction
Named the HMS Venturer, this roll out marks a pivotal milestone as it moves from the construction phase to then undergo outfitting and systems integration ahead of sea trials.
-
![Japan orders first upgraded Mogami-class frigates for the JMSDF]()
Japan orders first upgraded Mogami-class frigates for the JMSDF
The JMSDF has commissioned the seventh Mogami-class ship as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries advances upgraded frigates and supply vessels.
