The River class is a class of offshore patrol vessels built primarily for the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. A total of nine were built for the Royal Navy (RN), four Batch 1 and five Batch 2. One Batch 1 (HMS Clyde), which was the Falklands guard ship, was decommissioned and transferred at the end of its lease to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.

Situated at the front of the River Class OPVs is a single-mounting carrying an Oerlikon 30mm gun, which is designed to defend Royal Navy frigates against short-range missiles, grenades and explosives. This gun is controlled from a remote console elsewhere on the ship.

The River class are significantly larger than the Island-class vessels and have a large open deck aft allowing them to be fitted with equipment for a specific role, which can include fire-fighting, disaster relief and anti-pollution work.

There are five OPV vessels in build for the UK Royal Navy's River Class Batch 2 ships; HMS FORTH, MEDWAY, TRENT, TAMAR and SPEY. The Offshore Patrol Vessel is a highly versatile ship, designed to perform Economic Exclusion Zone management roles, including the provision of maritime security to coastal areas and effective disaster relief.

2020年2月4日 · Adding a medium calibre gun and helicopter hangar would bring the river class more in line with many foreign OPV designs. The Bofors 57mm Mk 110 Mod 0 gun is also going to be introduced to the RN onboard the Type 31. The OPVs have the capacity and a magazine below to accept a deck-penetrating gun such as this.

2022年2月28日 · The River-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are in service with the UK Navy, securing the UK’s borders and protecting its interests abroad. The OPVs are deployed for fishery protection and other patrol missions. The class comprises vessels manufactured in two batches.

2024年6月28日 · A series of releases highlighting the recent operations of the UK Royal Navy’s (RN) Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) forward deployed to the Asia-Pacific region has served to demonstrate the military and diplomatic value they provide to the country’s global aspirations.

What are Offshore Patrol Vessels? The River-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) programme is an initiative undertaken by the Royal Navy to strengthen its fleet capabilities. The programme involves the support of a series of patrol vessels designed for operations in offshore waters.

2021年1月8日 · The River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) HMS Spey has been commissioned with the Royal Navy on 7 January 2021 during a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base. HMS Spey is the fifth of and final River-class Batch 2 OPV on order from BAE Systems for the Royal Navy. She was launched in June 2019 2018.

2020年8月7日 · BAE Systems is building a new class of five 90m offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the second batch of the British Royal Navy’s River-class ships. The offshore patrol vessel is intended to carry out a range of economic exclusion zone management tasks such as maritime security, border control, routine patrols, and anti-smuggling.