Marine Electronic Systems (MES) has been contracted by BAE Systems to provide the Navigation & Communications Outfit for the next generation of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) to be built for the Royal Navy. The Vessels named HMS Forth, HMS Medway and HMS Trent will enter service from 2017.
The combined outfit is comprised of over 40 systems and are an evolution of those provided by MES on earlier Amazonas Class vessels for the Brazilian Navy or earlier RN OPVs.
Mike Whitlock, MD of MES said “We are proud that the Royal Navy and BAE Systems has selected MES to provide the Navigation and Communications outfit for these exciting new OPVs. It is our sixth major OPV programme in the last 20 years and demonstrates how effective SMEs can be in the provision of Naval Systems.”
BAE Systems has been contracted by the Ministry of Defence to build three Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Navy. Production began in October this year, with the first of class expected to be delivered in 2017. The 90 metre, 2,000 tons vessels will play a key role in protecting UK interests both at home and abroad. With a maximum speed of 24 knots, a range of over 5,000 nautical miles and helicopter landing capability, the ships will be globally deployable and capable of ocean patrol.
