Work on HMS Spey begins
Work has begun on the the future HMS Spey at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard on the Clyde in Scotland, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 21 April.
Spey is one of two Batch 2 River class Offshore Patrol Vessels being built under a £287 million agreement signed between the MoD and BAE Systems in December 2016. The vessel is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy in 2019 and enter service by 2021.
The vessel will be 90 metres long and displace around 2,000 tonnes, and will carry a 30mm cannon and have a flight deck capable of receiving a Merlin helicopter. It will have a maximum speed of 24 knots and will be able to sail 5,500 nautical miles before having to resupply.
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