The UK MOD has signed a contract with BAE Systems Maritime to provide two further Offshore Patrol Vehicles.
The £287M contract was announced by Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin during a tour of the Govan shipyard which will construct the vehicles. Mrs Baldwin was at the yard to ‘cut the first steel’ on the first Royal Navy OPV.
When delivered in 2019, the two ships will bring the number of next generation River class OPVs from three to five ships, supporting the Royal Navy’s mission to protect national interests at home and around the world. The contract covers the manufacture of the two new vehicles and support of all five.
Securing hundreds of jobs at the Clyde shipyard, the contract also guarantees crucial manufacturing skills needed to build the Navy’s future Type 26 Frigates.
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “This contract will deliver two more modern Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, for the Royal Navy and safeguard vital shipbuilding skills and hundreds of jobs in Scotland.
“Protected by a rising Defence budget, the OPV programme is an important part of the Government’s £178Bn plan to ensure our armed forces have the equipment they need.”
Chief Executive Officer at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support Organisation, Tony Douglas, said: “This agreement will deliver two more Offshore Patrol Vessels which the Royal Navy will use to protect the nation’s interest at home and around the world.
“These modern ships will have a versatile flight deck, improved firefighting equipment and greater storage and accommodation than previous vessels, giving UK sailors a decisive advantage on a huge range of operations.”
The next generation OPVs have a maximum speed of 24 knots and are able to sail 5,500 nautical miles before resupply. They will be equipped with a 30mm cannon and the flight deck is capable of holding a Merlin helicopter. The OPVs will primarily be used in counter-terror, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and maritime defence operations.
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Harriett Baldwin MOD OPV Royal Navy Type 26 Frigates UK
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