Fourth Royal Navy OPV named in Glasgow ceremony

The Royal Navy held an official naming ceremony for HMS Tamar, the fourth of overall five new Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessels being built.

The OPV naming ceremony took place in the shipyard in Glasgow where she and her sisters were built.

The 90-meter ship is equipped with a 30mm cannon and a flight deck capable of accommodating any of the Royal Navy’s helicopters.

She is the Royal Navy sixth ship to carry the HMS Tamar moniker – taking its title from the River Tamar in the South West of England – and is soon set for sea trials before starting her patrol work next year.

Tamar will be part of a five-strong fleet of OPVs, which are the product of a £635m contract with BAE systems.

“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,” Minister for Defence Procurement Stuart Andrew said.

“Today’s naming marks an important milestone in HMS Tamar’s programme as she begins sea trials before being accepted into operational service to start her crucial work next year.”

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

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.