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
-
Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year
CCGS Donjek is currently being prepared to start testing and be handed over to the Canadian Coast Guard in the second half of 2026.
-
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.