The River class is a class of offshore patrol vessels built primarily for the
Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. A total of eight are planned: four for the
Royal Navy replaced the seven ships of the Island class and the two Castle
class patrol vessels. HTMS Krabi was a variation on the River design built in
Thailand for the Royal Thai Navy. Three more were ordered for the Royal Navy in
2013, stretched to include a Merlin-capable flight deck.
In the Royal Navy, the River class are primarily used with the Fishery
Protection Squadron and EEZ patrol. The fourth Royal Navy vessel) features
several modifications allowing her to undertake duties in the South Atlantic
and the Falkland Islands. Royal Navy
= Batch 1 = Tyne, Severn and Mersey
The ships are significantly larger than the Island-class vessels and have a
large open deck aft allowing them to be fitted with equipment for a specific
role, which can include fire-fighting, disaster relief and anti-pollution work.
For this purpose, a 25 tonne capacity crane is fitted. In addition, the deck
is strong enough for the transport of various tracked and wheeled light
vehicles, or an LCVP. Initially the three ships were not owned
by the Royal Navy. They were constructed under an arrangement with the
shipbuilder, Vosper Thornycroft, under which the Royal Navy leased the vessels
from the shipbuilder for a period of ten years. VT were responsible for all
maintenance and support for the ships during the charter period. At the end of
this, the Navy could then either return the ships, renew the lease or purchase
them outright. In September 2012, it was announced by the Defence Secretary
Philip Hammond that the Ministry of Defence had purchased the vessels for
£39 million. Clyde
A modified fourth vessel for the Royal Navy, HMS Clyde, was constructed at
Portsmouth Dockyard and replaced the two vessels of the Castle-class patrol
vessel for duties in the Falkland Islands. This ship displaces 1,850
tonnes and has a 30mm gun, as well as a deck strengthened for aircraft
operations. = Batch 2 =
Forth, Medway and Trent On 6 November 2013 it was announced that
the Royal Navy had signed an Agreement in Principle to build three new OPVs
-based on the River class design- at a fixed price of £348m including spares
and support. In August 2014, BAE Systems signed the £348 million contract to
build the three new OPVs on the Clyde in Scotland. The new vessels will be used
for constabulary duties such as "counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and
anti-smuggling operations". According to BAE Systems, the vessels are designed to
deploy globally, conducting anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling
tasks currently conducted by frigates and destroyers. Steel was cut on 10
October 2014 and they are expected to enter service starting 2017, with the
last being delivered by the end of 2018. Similar in design to the Amazonas-class
corvette, the new ships will incorporate a Merlin-capable flight deck, a top
speed of 24 knots, be 90.5 metres in length and displace around 2,000 tonnes.
Initial press reports suggested they would have a range of 6,300 nmi but more
recent MoD publications put them at 5,500nmi like Clyde. They will be fitted
with the Kelvin Hughes SharpEye integrated radar system for navigation
and Terma Scanter 4100 for surveillance. = Batch 3 =
The 2015 UK Strategic Defence and Security Review outlined a future fleet
of 'up to six' Offshore Patrol Vessels, with a further purchase of two new
vessels at an undisclosed date in the future. This will likely encompass the
three Batch 2 ships, Clyde, and the two further OPVs. The three Batch 1 ships
without flight decks would be withdrawn in favour of the newer ships. The SDSR
also hinted that the OPVs could be used 'increasing the Royal Navy’s ability to
defend UK interests at home and abroad, which might suggest a broader range of
operations away from the UK. Some commentators have suggested
forward-basing of these OPVs could help relieve some of the burden on the escort
fleet by undertaking some of the Royal Navy's standing 'constabulary'
commitments, such as the North Atlantic Patrol Task, which Severn undertook for
the first time in 2015. Foreign orders
= Royal Thai Navy = HTMS Krabi is a modified River class
vessel built for the Royal Thai Navy. The ship was built in Thailand but with
design, technology transfer and support provided by BAE Systems.
= Brazilian Navy = Three vessels of the Amazonas-class
corvette based on the River class were built by BAE in the United Kingdom. They
were originally intended to be exported for use by the Trinidad and Tobago
Defence Force; however, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
cancelled the order in September 2010. In December 2011 it was reported that
the Brazilian Navy were interested in buying the vessels, and possibly up to
five additional vessels of the same design. The sale, for £133 million, was
then confirmed on 2 January 2012. Running costs
BAE Systems Offshore Patrol Vessels See also
Khareef-class corvette — a related 99 metre corvette class also designed by
BAE Systems References
External links Royal Navy - Patrol Boats - River Class
Naval Technology: River class project page