Royal Navy’s new OPV named
The first new River class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) being built for the UK's Royal Navy has been officially named, it was announced on 9 March.
The 1,800 tonne, 90m vessel was named HMS Forth during a ceremony at BAE Systems' site at Scotstoun in Glasgow.
HMS Forth is the first of a fleet of five new Batch 2 River-class OPVs being built on the Clyde which are all expected to be in service by 2021. The OPVs will be tasked with a range of missions, including counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling and maritime defence duties.
The vessel is now preparing to embark on sea trials and is expected to enter service with the Royal Navy in 2018.
Harriett Baldwin, UK Minister for Defence Procurement, said: 'From counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, to securing the UK's borders on patrols closer to home, the Royal Navy's new OPVs will help protect our interests around the world.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Clock ticks for the US Navy to present a recovery plan for faulty welds in its vessels]()
Clock ticks for the US Navy to present a recovery plan for faulty welds in its vessels
The branch should submit the rework plan to the House of Representatives by 11 October.
-
![Thales secures new order from Saudi Arabia for CAPTAS family of sonars]()
Thales secures new order from Saudi Arabia for CAPTAS family of sonars
Riyadh has placed an order for five CAPTAS-1 to equip the Avante 2200 corvettes built by Navantia. The French company has also been discussing the supply of the CAPTAS-4 Compact for the future FREMM-EVOs of the Italian Navy.
-
![Keel laid for Portuguese multi-purpose ship]()
Keel laid for Portuguese multi-purpose ship
In June 2022, the Portuguese Navy released the concept of a multifunctional ship called Plataforma Naval Multifuncional (PNM) and a tender was issued in late May 2023. A contract with Damen was signed in November 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives first full capability multipurpose combat ship]()
Italian Navy receives first full capability multipurpose combat ship
The Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA or multipurpose combat ship) Thaon di Revel Class class consists of seven multi-role offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Italian Navy. Giovanni delle Bande Nere is the fourth of class.
