Photographer: Jim McQuarrie Title: HMS FORTH P222 Oct 07, 2017 Location: Greenock, United Kingdom - shipspotting.com
Minister of Defense Guto Bebb was on hand for the handover, and also took time to see progress on the Glasgow, the first City Class Type 26 frigate.
By James LaPorta | Jan. 25, 2018 at 1:04 PM
Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Britain's Royal Navy accepted its first River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel on Thursday from BAE Systems at the company's Clyde shipyard in Scotland.
Parliament member Guto Bebb, the current minister of defense, accepted delivery of the HMS Forth, the Royal Navy's first River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel.
Bebb also had a look at progress on the Type 26 program's first City Class frigate, Glasgow, for which production recently started on the vessel's second hull section.
"Thanks to the hard work of the Clyde shipyards, HMS Forth is now ready to join the Royal Navy surface fleet and begin the vital task of defending the UK and her interests around the world," Bebb said during his visit to BAE shipyards.
The HMS Forth will remain at the Scotstoun yard in Glasgow to undergo additional work, and is expected to be commissioned into the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base later this year, according to the company.
The Forth is a 296-foot patrol ship that is capable of a maximum speed of 24 miles per hour. It's equipped with one 30mm cannon along with two general purpose machine guns and two miniguns.
The Royal Navy is expecting to receive four additional River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel from BAE Systems, which are currently under development.
Bebb also observed the progress on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship that will serve as the Royal Navy's newest anti-submarine warfare ship, and will replace the Type 23 anti-submarine variant frigates.
"Developing the Type 26 capability is also making great strides forward, reflecting the U.K.'s commitment to this cutting-edge new warship, which will sustain 4,000 jobs in Scotland and right across the U.K.," said Bebb.
Work on the Type 26 began in July 2017, with BAE now starting to work on the second section of the ship.
Original post: upi.com
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