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
-
![Navantia pitches 64-cell F110 frigate and sets out plans for 75m autonomous vessel]()
Navantia pitches 64-cell F110 frigate and sets out plans for 75m autonomous vessel
With its second F110 frigate launched four months early, the Spanish shipbuilder is courting allied navies with a missile-defence upgrade and a 75m uncrewed vessel.
-
![Chinese maritime militia puts naval surveillance to the test]()
Chinese maritime militia puts naval surveillance to the test
With record deployments in the South China Sea and a newly reported sighting east of Taiwan, China’s maritime militia is putting greater pressure on regional surveillance. How can navies establish what these vessels are doing quickly and reliably enough to respond?
-
![‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home]()
‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home
Fincantieri naval vessels chief Eugenio Santagata spoke to Shephard about opportunities and how they sit within a portfolio backed by a “strong backlog”, as Euronaval 2026 unfolded.
-
![US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine]()
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
![ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign]()
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
