RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class

[Pelican]

And lets hope she has nothing to do but glare at the Argi's eh Harry

Or pick up u no hoo in the Channel!

Not for the next 10 years David ... 'tis a long way back from Port Stanley

I stand corrected, got my rivers mixed up meant Clyde.

[Pelican]

Let me try again with HMS MEDWAY
Please see - http://lewin-of-greenwich-naval-history ... 915#p12915

[Pelican]

She's arrived!!


NavyLookout
‏ @NavyLookout

Today @HMS_Forth arrived in the Falkland Islands after 6,800 nautical mile voyage to become the permanent FI Patrol Vessel.

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Photos: BFSAI Falklands

HMS Forth arrives in Falklands to assume guardship duties

The Falkland Islands have welcomed the arrival of new patrol vessel HMS Forth.

British Forces South Atlantic Islands say that the ship has taken over the mission from HMS Clyde, which has offered protection to the Falklands and nearby South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands for the past 12 years.

The long-term deployment of HMS Forth will see the ship act as the guardian and patrol vessel for the Falkland Islands and Britain’s South Atlantic territories.

The Royal Navy say that it will be a number of years before the vessel herself returns, while her crews will rotate between the UK and South Atlantic.

HMS Forth is a Batch 2 River class Offshore Patrol Vessel and is fundamentally different in appearance and capabilities from the preceding Batch 1.

Notable differences include the longer 90.5 metres long hull, a higher top speed of 24 knots, a Merlin-capable flight deck, a greater displacement of around 2,000 tonnes and greatly expanded capacity for accommodating personnel.

The Batch 2 ships therefore arguably represent a distinctly separate class to the preceding Batch 1 in everything but name.

HMS Forth also recently monitored the Russian warship ‘Vasily Bykov’ through the English Channel and Dover Strait.

From - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-for ... bBNvycvoIw

[Pelican]

HMS Medway to sail to replace RFA Mounts Bay in Caribbean

After three years in the Caribbean, RFA Mounts Bay is to be replaced by HMS Medway.
Medway is the second of five Batch 2 River Class vessels ordered for the Royal Navy, she arrived in Portsmouth on the 17th of June 2019.

The Royal Navy say that these ships are designed to carry out maritime security roles in Home waters or globally including; anti-smuggling, fishery protection, border patrols, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy.

According to the Royal Navy, RFA Mounts Bay was on a long-term mission assisting Britain’s overseas territories in the region, spending roughly one half of the year ready to respond to natural disasters (chiefly hurricanes and tropical storms), the other half working with US law enforcement agencies dedicated to stopping the flow of illegal drugs from South to North America – and the wider world.

“Embarked throughout the relief mission phase of her deployment (May-June onwards until the end of the year) is a mixed military team of Army engineers, Royal Marines, soldiers who operate the Mexeflote powered raft and a Wildcat helicopter flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron. Collectively, they form the ship’s dedicated Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) Troop – over 120 men and women – who work side-by-side with authorities across the Caribbean to explain what help they can offer… and see what facilities are available to them should the worst happen.”

HMS Medway is deploying to the region to conduct maritime security and regional assurance. Her sister, HMS Forth, is now forward deployed to the Falkland Islands.

Source - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-med ... 6fctSCBIiU

See also - https://twitter.com/HMS_Medway/status/1 ... 5985794050

[Pelican]

A&P Falmouth welcomes River class OPVs as part of agreement with BAE

A&P Defence say it has secured a programme of maintenance work and repair packages to old and new River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels in Falmouth, as part of an ongoing support contract with BAE Systems.

A&P Defence and BAE Systems have recently agreed a two-year extension to a framework agreement which will now conclude in 2021. This will expedite any potential future repair and maintenance contracts on batch one – HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, HMS Severn, and the brand-new batch two River Class Vessels – HMS Forth, HMS Medway, HMS Trent, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey. A&P Falmouth project manage and deliver the mutually agreed scope of works.

According to a news release, for the batch one OPVs, HMS Tyne, has already departed from A&P Falmouth following a seven-week refit programme which included installing new lifeboat davits and a general programme of repairs. HMS Mersey, underwent a short alongside period of repair works at the end of November.

“The Batch Two vessel, HMS Forth sailed on its first deployment from Falmouth at the end of November following an upgrade package including modifications to the Bowman tactical communications system and other equipment. HMS Medway had similar upgrades and has sailed from Falmouth, before it leaves for its maiden deployment to the Caribbean early this year. A&P Falmouth is working closely with BAE Systems throughout the project, which is being overseen by Defence Equipment and Support – the MOD’s procurement organisation.”

Gerald Pitts, Managing Director of A&P Defence said:
“A&P Defence draws upon A&P’s skilled workforce and far-reaching capabilities to deliver marine, fabrication services and Global Support to the MOD, Tier One supply chain and overseas navies. This latest framework agreement is recognition of A&P Falmouth’s knowledge and expertise of the River Class and we look forward to continuing our work with BAE Systems to deliver any future contracts.”

Steve Jones, Managing Director of A&P Falmouth said:
“This agreement is the result of a longstanding and proven relationship between ourselves, BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence and our commitment to delivering on time and to budget, every time. Over the last few years A&P Falmouth has built an unrivalled and in-depth knowledge of the River Class OPVs which enables us to offer greater insights, programme efficiencies and added value to BAE Systems. We are delighted to welcome all four vessels back into Falmouth.”

Bill Page, Head of Contracts for Availability, BAE Systems Maritime Services, said:
“We are proud to support the Royal Navy’s fleet of Offshore Patrol Vessels. Our relationship with A&P Falmouth and its dedicated division is built on a strong track record and excellent communication. A&P Falmouth delivered the reactivation refit of the Batch one River-Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Severn, as part of the same support contract with BAE Systems in 2019.”

A&P say it has delivered more than 200 refits, maintenance periods and conversions for the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil and Lithuania.

Source - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ap-falm ... xATrIwEblI

[Pelican]

Savetheroyalnavy.org

Fair winds and following seas HMS Medway sailed from Portsmouth this morning and will be away for several years deployed in the Caribbean.
Interesting to note: she had 2 x TEU containers embarked. They can be used to carry disaster relief supplies or house UAVs among other uses.

[timlewin]

I believe HMS Tyne is due alongside HMS Belfast in February for all of you who might live nearby?

wait til we get the crowsnest camera up the mast, then you can all enjoy these sights!

Wont be too long now but not in time for this ship visit.

[Pelican]

Savetheroyalnavy.org

40 Grenadier Guardsmen joined HMS Forth in the Falklands for exercise.

Batch II OPVs have dedicated mess (under flight deck) with bunks, galley, toilets and showers for up to 51 troops
(Another 50 personnel could also be accommodated on camp beds)
For 9 photos go to - https://www.facebook.com/savetheroyalna ... =3&theater

More info and different photos here - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... daRnog4zjQ

[Pelican]

AN 'IN DEPTH' ARTICLE

Enhancing the Royal Navy’s batch II OPVs
Speaking at DSEI in September 2019, RN Commander Operations, Rear Admiral Paul Halton said: “We are thinking about how we might enhance the lethality of the Batch II OPVs”. In this article, we consider some of the options and implications for upgrading these vessels.

A frequent criticism of the new Batch II OPVs that are entering service with the RN is that they are under-armed. They are lightly armed for their size but are designed and built with potential future upgrades in mind. A substantial number of mostly hidden changes were made to the baseline design (The 3 OPVs in now service with the Brazilian navy were built to the original specification). Upgrades to survivability include fire safety and fire-fighting enhancements, watertight integrity improvements, better emergency lighting and full ballistic protection of the magazine. These apparently mundane features are difficult to add to a vessel after construction and have resulted in a more combat-survivable platform than the average OPV. Additionally, the OPVs have a small operations room fitted with the BAES CMS-1 combat management system and ‘Shared Infrastructure’ using a common console system. This CMS backbone which is now common to most RN warships (except the Thales TACTICOS-based Type 31) should ease the installation of new sensors and weapons. This is rounded off with a full military communications fit, military GPS and Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information System (WECDIS).

Even if you have a ready-made platform, it must be recognised that the addition of new weapons and sensors is not a simple as some assume. Firstly the benefits of upgrading the OPVs may have to be balanced against other needs in the fleet. Then before the decision to add new capability it taken, there are a series of questions consider. What is the initial cost of the new item and what will be the total cost of ownership through its life in service? Is this already in the UK inventory or will a completely new support chain have to be established to maintain it and supply it with spares and ammunition? Will this capability require increasing the size of the ship’s company and do how do we generate a stream of trained operators and maintainers? What impact will the new equipment have on the ship itself? Can it be easily integrated with the existing combat management system and are the power supplies adequate? Is there sufficient top weight margin available and will its affect the handling of the ship or impact the operation, maintenance and safety of existing equipment?


Bespoke tailoring
The Batch I OPVs are only armed with a single, manually-aimed 20mm cannon and a few GMPGs. Although it might be nice for them to be armed to the teeth in case of all eventualities, this would be a poor use of resources as they spend most of their time policing fishing boats. When tasked primarily to provide surveillance, conduct boarding operations and provide a presence in UK waters, having additional heavy weapons would be almost pointless.

As the RN complies with the defence secretary’s directive to maximise the use of the assets it already has, it is beginning to consider if the Batch II OPVs may be able to operate in the higher threat areas that are normally considered appropriate for frigates and destroyers. HMS Forth and HMS Medway have now been forward deployed in “low-threat” environments but HMS Trent, Tamar or Spey might be candidates to be forward-deployed either in the Arabian Gulf or Singapore. When operating in the Gulf, the most obvious threats are from gunboat swarms and land-based anti-ship missiles. To be of much use, the OPV must protect not just itself, but either merchant ships or mine warfare vessels it may be called on to escort. This will require more firepower than a single 30mm, although not necessarily expensive guided missiles. In the Asia-Pacific region where the mission may be to join a coalition to face down the might of the Chinese, a greater level of weaponry might be needed in order to be taken seriously both by allies and adversaries. Although slightly reducing the flexibility of the fleet as a whole, having ships forward-deployed permanently offers the advantage of being able to tailor the individual ship’s equipment fit more precisely to the threat level.

Upgrade options - Continues at - https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/enhanc ... u0vFBNUHLM

[Pelican]

Savetheroyalnavy.org

The Times reports "Navy fishing protection fleet prepares to triple its strength”. Unclear how:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/3c08 ... 632a8fd8c7

Current status of RN OPV fleet is as attached.

Also - https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/12382 ... HUGEqRN3ak