The future of three of the Royal Navy’s most prolific patrol vessels has been secured for the next 10 years after the Ministry of Defence bought them outright from BAE Systems.
HMS Tyne, Severn and Mersey, which each spend around 300 days a year patrolling UK waters, had been leased to the MoD by BAE for the past nine years at a cost of £7m per annum.
This lease was due to be renewed in 2013 but, rather than face having to pay more to rent the vessels, the MoD has signed a £39m contract to buy the ships outright – keeping them in service with the Royal Navy for the next ten years
All three of the River Class offshore patrol vessels, which are based at Portsmouth Naval Base, play an important role in essential operations policing the UK’s territorial waters.
Their duties include counter-terrorism and keeping the sea safe for shipping, enforcement of fisheries regulations, search and rescue operations as well as investigating smuggling and other illegal activity.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “These three ships represent an essential UK capability in protecting UK waters and safeguarding our maritime interests. Buying these vessels is a shrewd move by the MoD and is another example of the department proactively renegotiating contracts and making decisions to benefit our Armed Forces and the taxpayer. This contract not only saves money in the long term but ensures the Royal Navy is able to continue to conduct a wide range of operations to protect the UK.”
The Head of the Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron, Commander Graham Lovatt said: “The River Class offshore patrol vessels have repeatedly proven themselves to be extremely capable ships.
“With maritime security and fishery protection roles, they play a vital part in protecting the nation’s interests close to home. I am very pleased that the MOD has secured their continued use.”
