Engineering:Scimitar-class patrol vessel
 HMS Sabre, 2011
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Halmatic |
| Operators: |
 Royal Navy |
| Preceded by: | Archer class |
| Succeeded by: | Cutlass class |
| In commission: | 2003–2022 |
| Retired: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Patrol boat |
| Displacement: | 24 tonnes (24 long tons) |
| Length: | 16 m (52 ft 6 in) |
| Beam: | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Draught: | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × MAN 2480LXE diesels, 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) |
| Range: | 260 nmi (480 km; 300 mi) at 19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph) |
| Complement: | 5 (1 officer, 4 ratings) |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Racal-Decca Bridgemaster 360, I band navigation radar |
| Armament: | 2 × General purpose machine guns (stern-mounted) |
The Scimitar class were a class of fast patrol boat formerly in service with the United Kingdom Royal Navy.
The two vessels of this class were of a commercial design known as the Lifespan Patrol Vessel built by Halmatic (now BAE Systems Surface Ships), and formerly served in an inshore waterways anti-terrorist role in Northern Ireland. They were acquired for the Royal Navy in 2003 for service with the Gibraltar Squadron, releasing two Archer-class boats that had filled this role for service with the Cyprus Squadron.[1]
With the decommissioning of the survey launch HMS Gleaner in February 2018, the two Scimitar-class boats became the smallest commissioned vessels in the Royal Navy.[2] The two vessels were returned to the U.K. from Gibraltar in 2020, having been replaced there by two Archer-class boats, but were reported as still operational in Portsmouth at the end of 2020. Both vessels were decommissioned in a joint ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base on 30 March 2022.[3]
Vessels in the class
| Name | Pennant number | Builder | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scimitar (ex-MV Grey Fox) |
P284 | Halmatic Ltd, Portsmouth | 31 January 2003 | 30 March 2022 | Awaiting disposal |
| Sabre (ex-MV Grey Wolf) |
P285 | Halmatic Ltd, Southampton | Awaiting disposal |
See also
References
- ↑ "Patrol Boats - Scimitar class". https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/patrol-and-mine-hunters/fast-patrol-boats.
- ↑ "Royal Navy decommissions inshore survey vessel HMS Gleaner". 19 February 2018. https://navaltoday.com/2018/02/19/royal-navy-decommissions-inshore-survey-vessel-hms-gleaner/.
- ↑ @HmsSabre (30 March 2022). "A bittersweet afternoon as HM Ships Scimitar and Sabre lower the White Ensign for the last time.". https://twitter.com/HmsSabre/status/1509153803534225408.
External links
- "Patrol Boats - Scimitar class". https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/patrol-and-mine-hunters/fast-patrol-boats.
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