The Scimitar class were a class of fast patrol boat formerly in service with the British 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". Royal Navy. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ^ "Royal Navy decommissions inshore survey vessel HMS Gleaner". Naval Today. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ @HmsSabre (30 March 2022). "A bittersweet afternoon as HM Ships Scimitar and Sabre lower the White Ensign for the last time" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 April 2022 – via Twitter.
External links
- "Patrol Boats - Scimitar class". Royal Navy.