Royal Navy names HMS Spey OPV
The Royal Navy announced the naming of the last of its new River-class offshore patrol vessels (OPV), HMS Spey, during a ceremony held in Glasgow on 3 October.
HMS Spey has been built by BAE Systems built in Glasgow, and is the last of five in its class, the construction of the first of which began in late 2014.
‘Today’s ceremony is a truly significant milestone for the River-class offshore patrol vessel programme and builds on our proud heritage of British shipbuilding here in Glasgow,’ David Shepherd, OPV programme director at BAE Systems, said.
‘There has been fantastic momentum on this programme and the naming of HMS Spey serves as a great reminder of the importance of the capability and skills of our employees who are working together with the Royal Navy and partners to deliver these important ships.’
The vessel will be used to support a range of operations including counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, and border security.
The first two ships in the class, HMS Forth and HMS Medway, are now in service with the Royal Navy.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026]()
US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026
Trident II D5 Increment 8 will involve improvements to the shipboard navigation subsystem for the US Ohio and Columbia and the UK Dreadnought and Vanguard submarine classes.
-
![What capabilities has the US deployed in the Caribbean and South America to engage “drug boats”?]()
What capabilities has the US deployed in the Caribbean and South America to engage “drug boats”?
The US arsenal includes amphibious assault and littoral combat ships, cutters, destroyers, landing platform docks, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, drones, ISR aircraft, helicopters and fighters.
-
![HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy]()
HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy
As HMS Agamemnon moves closer towards joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, how does the sixth Astute-class fit into the Royal Navy’s defence strategy?
-
![French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement]()
French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement
The FDI frigates will have an enhanced warfare capability that matches the configuration of ships ordered by Greece.
-
![Khabarovsk submarine launch reflects Russia’s nuclear modernisation progress]()
Khabarovsk submarine launch reflects Russia’s nuclear modernisation progress
The nuclear-powered vessel, which could carry the Poseidon autonomous torpedo – dubbed the “doomsday missile” – marks another step forward in Russia’s maritime defence push.
