Spey is expected to be ready for operations by early summer 2021; like her sisters these will be general patrol duties, anti-smuggling taskings and providing humanitarian relief where it’s needed.
Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “The five River Class OPVs have been hugely important for our business, working in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy and our suppliers. Today’s milestone brings with it an immense sense of pride for us all in delivering this strategically important programme, marking the end of the build phase of the OPV build programme.
“The acceptance of HMS Spey serves as a great reminder of the importance of what we do, and the capability and skills of our employees who worked side by side with the Royal Navy and our partners to deliver these important ships to the Royal Navy.”
Spey’s sisters amongst the Batch 2 OPVs have been making waves overseas with HMS Medway on patrol in the Caribbean, HMS Forth in the Falkland Islands and HMS Trent having deployed to the Mediterranean. The fourth of the Batch 2s, HMS Tamar, is continuing her generation in Portsmouth following her delivery in March.
When the Covid-19 lockdown began in March, Spey was still in fitting-out at Scotstoun. However, she was made sea-ready despite the restrictions and began a successful set of trials in September.
