Royal Navy needs to expand OPV fleet
The growing complexity of coastal security issues around the UK and the country’s expanding constabulary roles elsewhere in the world means it is essential the Royal Navy (RN) expands its OPV fleet, according to a former head of the service.
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, formerly First Sea Lord, told Shephard that the new OPVs ordered from BAE Systems in August need to be added to the fleet when they are brought into service from 2017 onwards rather than serve as a replacement for the current River Class vessels.
A decision on whether the new OPVs are additions or replacements is
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
L3Harris Technologies awarded $212 million contract for Royal Australian Navy's maritime underwater tracking ranges
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract valued at A$328 million ($212 million) for the delivery of new Maritime Underwater Tracking Ranges (MUTR) to the Royal Australian Navy as part of SEA1350 Phase 3.
-
Pakistan Navy renewal gathers pace as new OPV launched
The launch of the first of a new pair of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Pakistan Navy (PN) on 12 September indicates an acceleration in the modernisation of the service as it introduces new ships into service.
-
Can a new operational profile fix Canada's submarine problem?
The four Victoria-class diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) are in the midst of an evolution into a new operations and maintenance regime. Shephard investigates whether this will solve the navy's recurring issues with having only one boat (or even none) operational for long periods.
-
Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Marinette Littoral Combat Ship commissioned
The latest USN Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Freedom-class USS Marinette (LCS 25) was commissioned on 16 September. It will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
-
DSEI 2023: SEA launches high-performance countermeasures system for surface platforms
UK ship protection specialist SEA has unveiled Ancilia, a trainable decoy launcher system designed to provide rapid and effective protection against missile, including hypersonic, and torpedo threats to surface vessels.
-
New and improved landing craft to boost amphibious ops for Dutch marines
The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) is embarking on the upgrade and replacement of its existing amphibious landing craft to provide new capabilities for long-range transport and marine assault.