UK orders two more River-class OPVs

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UK orders two more River-class OPVs

Post by MikeJames »

I'm led to believe that the RN didn't want these ships, they were ordered by the Government to support the shipbuilding manufacturing base.

UK orders two more River-class OPVs

Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
09 December 2016

Image
Concept image of a Batch 2 River-class OPV. Source: BAE Systems
BAE Systems has been awarded a GBP287 million (USD361 million) contract to build two more Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Navy, it was announced on 8 December.

The order of two more OPVs was set out in the United Kingdom's 2015 defence review, and will add to the three vessels of the same class already under construction. According to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) the latest contract also includes support for all five Batch 2 vessels.

To be known as HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, the vessels are expected to be delivered to the Royal Navy in 2019.

Describing the role of the vessels, the MoD said, "Like the other vessels of its class, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey will carry out counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and maritime defence operations, and are expected to be equipped with a 30mm cannon and a flight deck capable of receiving a Merlin helicopter."

The two new vessels are expected to replace HMS Clyde , the Modified Batch 1 River-class OPV that was commissioned into service in 2007. The three Batch 1 River-class vessels (HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey), all of which were commissioned in 2003, are due to be replaced by the three Batch 2 vessels already under construction. The first of these, HMS Forth , is currently fitting out in Scotstoun and is due for commissioning in 2017.
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