New Navy Patrol Vessel Named Ahead Of Sea Trials

Tamar is the fourth OPV to be named (Picture: Royal Navy).

The fourth of the Royal Navy’s five new Offshore Patrol Vessels has been named HMS Tamar..

HMS Tamar is part of the next-generation River Class ship aimed at boosting Britain’s counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling work and provide essential support to defence operations.

At Scotstoun, the ship’s sponsor, Lady Peach, officially named HMS Tamar by pressing a button to smash a bottle of Camel Valley ‘Cornwall’ Brut against the hull – in recognition of the ship being affiliated to Cornwall.

Minister for Defence Procurement Stuart Andrew said:

"From patrolling our coastlines and protecting UK waters, to anti-smuggling and counter terrorism operations, these ships are a key part of our Royal Navy fleet."

Sir Simon Bollom, chief executive for Defence, Equipment and Support, the MOD’s procurement agency, said: "HMS Tamar continues the legacy of ships being built on the Clyde for the Royal Navy and will perform a vital role defending the UK’s interests."

All the vessels are initially constructed in BAE System’s Govan yard, before being moved to their Scotstoun site to be fitted out with their systems ahead of rigorous sea trials.

Alongside the Type 26 anti-submarine frigate programme, the Royal Navy work has filled the Glasgow shipyards’ order books until the early 2030s, protecting 1,700 Scottish jobs and supporting a further 2,300 roles across the nation through the supply chain.

The 90-metre vessel is equipped with a 30mm cannon and flight deck capable of accommodating a Merlin helicopter.

HMS Tamar will be globally deployable with a range in excess of 5000 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 24 knots.

She has a modified flight deck capable of operating the latest Merlin Helicopters, larger stores and more accommodation for embarked troops.

The combined value of the five vessel OPV contract with BAE Systems is £635m.

All the Batch 2 OPVs, named HMS Forth, HMS Medway, HMS Trent, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, are set to be delivered to the Royal Navy by the end of 2020.

Last year it was announced by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson that the Batch 1 Offshore Patrols Vessels, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn, which currently support the Fishery Protection Squadron, would also be retained for at least the next two years.