New HMS Spey affiliation to strengthen ties with Moray

Moray Council is to become an affiliate of the Royal Navy's latest offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey.

HMS Spey is currently being built by BAE Systems at its shipyard on the Clyde and will be the last of the new class of five.

She will be formally named in early 2019 and be commissioned later that year.

At 90 metres long and weighing 2,000 tonnes, HMS Spey is expected to carry a 30mm cannon and a flight deck capable of receiving a Merlin helicopter, in support of counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and maritime defence operations.

Captain Chris Smith, Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland, said, "The affiliation between HMS Spey and Moray will only serve to strengthen our links in this area and will help us to engage further with its people in years to come.”

Convener of Moray Council, Councillor James Allan, said, “Moray has important historical ties with the Royal Navy, and we welcome this invitation to enter into a civil affiliation with HMS Spey.

Spey follows Forth, Medway, Trent and Tamar.