New OPVs for UK Royal Navy amid restructuring
Three new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) will be ordered by the UK MoD to plug the gap in construction work at BAE Systems’ shipbuilding facilities in Glasgow.
In a statement issued on 6 November, the secretary of state for defence, Philip Hammond said that under a Terms of Business Agreement (ToBA) signed in 2009, the cost of the ships would amount to less than £100 million more than it would have to pay the company anyway to keep its facilities idle whilst adding an additional capability for the Royal Navy (RN).
Hammond said that the three new ships will be
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US lawmakers allocate an additional $1.1 billion for shipbuilding in FY2025]()
US lawmakers allocate an additional $1.1 billion for shipbuilding in FY2025
The fund includes extra money for constructing a third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and a second Virginia-class submarine.
-
![Myanmar launches new FF-135 frigate, the largest ever built in its domestic yards]()
Myanmar launches new FF-135 frigate, the largest ever built in its domestic yards
The launch of the King Thalun marks a high point for shipbuilding in Myanmar.
-
![Latest Virginia-class submarine, the future USS Iowa, delivered to US Navy]()
Latest Virginia-class submarine, the future USS Iowa, delivered to US Navy
The second Virginia-class vessel delivered in 2024, the USS Iowa is also the twelfth battle force vessel added to the US Navy across the year.
-
![China launches Type 076 next-generation amphibious assault vessel]()
China launches Type 076 next-generation amphibious assault vessel
The Type 076, named the Sichuan at launch, is part of a naval arms race with the US Navy.
-
![NATO to strengthen its Baltic Sea presence after new cable cutting incident]()
NATO to strengthen its Baltic Sea presence after new cable cutting incident
The vessel suspected of cutting cables has been boarded by the Finnish Coast Guard, and Estonia has launched naval protection patrols.
-
![How bad management could put the US Navy’s cruiser fleet far behind Chinese capabilities]()
How bad management could put the US Navy’s cruiser fleet far behind Chinese capabilities
While China has been rapidly advancing with the development of the Type 055 class, the US Navy has been struggling to progress with the modernisation of its cruiser fleet.
