UK Navy’s Second River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel to Enter Service in 2019

HMS Medway which was christened last Friday in Glasgow as a Royal Navy Ship will shortly embark on sea trials where she will be put through her paces in the open waters off the coast of Scotland.

With a crew of 58 HMS Medway is expected to enter service with the Royal Navy in 2019.

Lady Wendy Fallon, HMS Medway’s sponsor and wife of Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon named the 2,000 tonne, 90-metre-long vessel of the UK Royal Navy.

In keeping with Royal Navy tradition Lady Fallon pressed the button that released a bottle of Dockyard Gin from the Copper Rivet Distillery in Chatham, Kent, against the ship’s hull.

Iain Stevenson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “Following the naming of the first River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel in March this year, our employees had the opportunity to celebrate seeing the first Aircraft Carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, set sail for the first time; the first plate of steel cut for the first Type 26 Global Combat Ship; and the naming of the second Aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. We look forward to delivering HMS Medway to the Royal Navy next year.”

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “From counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling to securing the UK’s borders, HMS Medway will help keep Britain safe.”