Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) HMS Medway has arrived in her home port of Portsmouth for the very first time, welcomed by over 100 families in Her Majesty’s Naval Base.
Medway is the second of five Batch 2 River Class vessels ordered for the Royal Navy. These ships are designed to carry out maritime security roles in Home waters or globally including; anti-smuggling, fishery protection, border patrols, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy.
Commander Simon Pressdee, Commander of the Fishery Protection Squadron, said: “Today is a significant step in HMS Medway’s journey and a great achievement for both the Ship’s Company and our industrial partners in BAE Naval Ships who built her.
“Medway now enters the next phase of force generation which will see her develop into a warship and made ready for sustained patrol operations in the new year.”
Rear Admiral Jim Higham, senior officer responsible for the Batch 2 River Class programme, said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome HMS Medway on her first arrival into Portsmouth.
“Today is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and dedication from the Ship’s Company as well as from our partners across Defence and in UK industry. It is an honour to stand alongside their families and friends who have provided such steadfast support and are critical to this success.”
Construction of HMS Medway began in June 2015 when the first steel was cut in Glasgow. The ship was then later named at Scotstoun yard on the Clyde by Lady Fallon, wife of the then Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.
With a total length of 90.5 metres and a flight deck which can operate the Merlin helicopter, Batch 2 River Class vessels are armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, two Miniguns, four machine guns and capable of 24+ knots.
HMS Medway is due to be formally commissioned during a visit to Medway in September, following which she will provide the Royal Navy with patrol capabilities in Home waters or overseas.
