UK forward-basing trend expands as Medway heads to Caribbean
As the UK RN’s River-class Batch 2 OPV HMS Medway heads out on its transatlantic journey to take up station as Atlantic Patrol Ship (North) (APS (N)), the forward-deployed model that the class will operate under continues to mature.
Setting out from Gibraltar harbour on 27 January, Medway will spend the foreseeable future in the Caribbean and surrounding waters, conducting a range of maritime security and defence diplomacy tasks. The British Overseas Territory of Bermuda will be its first port of call, approximately 5,390km distant.
Medway takes over from the Bay-class auxiliary landing ship (dock) RFA Mounts Bay, which
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
