HMS Cutlass, a £5m fast patrol boat, has been formally handed over to the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron after three months of trials, ready for being declared fully operational in the spring.

The Royal Navy say here:

“With HMS Dagger – due to arrive on the Rock later this year – Cutlass will be the backbone of the squadron, replacing the two P2000s temporarily assigned to Gibraltar, Dasher and Pursuer.

Cutlass has been in Gibraltar since November, carrying out key sea trials ahead of her formal transfer into RN hands.

With a top speed of 40 knots, the new boats – built by Merseyside-based Marine Specialised Technology – are twice as fast as the P2000s, smaller, nimbler and equipped with the latest optical and infra-red systems, enabling crew to identify and track potential threats at range.

And unlike Dasher and Pursuer – both nearly 35 years old – many of the systems on board are autonomous, helping the crew in her operation, maintenance and response to any unforeseen incidents.”

Cutlass’ first Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Adam Colman, was quoted as saying:

“We are delighted that HMS Cutlass has proven her capability during the manufacturer’s trials and she is now ready to begin the Royal Navy safety and readiness checks. She increases the squadron’s capability in providing maritime security and demonstrating UK sovereignty of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.”

You can read more here.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

39 COMMENTS

  1. If I can start the ball rolling with a question which has been brought up on a previous occasion. I think these vessels are absolutely fabulous but I wondering why the forward gun mount is not as a RWS? I can’t imagine anyone being able stand up let alone shoot straight when operating at speed! Maybe I’m underestimating something here?

    • To be honest I wouldn’t want to be on that boat at 40 knots in anything like open waters, let alone pointing something shooty. As you say something gyroscopically (?) stablilised would have seemed sensible. On its overall weapons fit I suppose its decent even if more would alway be nice. In the context of the RN as a whole it certainly fits in with the passivity if it remains ‘fitted for but not with’.

      • Hi Coll, yes, I’ve seen something like this before somewhere. Nice illustration. The Ukrainian’s could have done with some of these…and with a RWS on the front! Interesting that there is a 4 and 6 pack launcher here and they both might be trainable? One of the Venator 110 frigate concepts showed an 8 pack version so it’s a very adaptable system for land/sea/air. It’s something the River B2s could potentially have if ever needed.

  2. Unfortunate timing of that photo with a lighthouse on the roof!

    Waiting for the comments on lack of armament next. I assume it has GPMG or .50 which to me is more than sufficient for its role?

    • Sending unarmed vessels like this to Gib only attracts ridicule and deters zilch, particularly under the current circumstances when the Spanish are still allowing Russian subs to re-fuel etc across the Gibralltar Strait in Ceuta.

      • They are there for anti terrorism. They don’t need 76mm or missiles for that.

        They are also there to attend to Spanish incursions. They don’t need 76mm or missiles for that either, as what Spain does changes nothing and is merely an irritant aimed at their own public.

        Whether Spain allows Russian ships to refuel elsewhere is irrelevant concerning the use of these vessels or the security of British Forces Gibraltar.

        • DM how dare you make a valid point about the exact use and requirements of HMS Cutlass and not just accept we should have battleships to defend a port.

          don’t you know that every vessel we have must be capable of sinking a carrier, detecting submarines and downing hypersonic missiles…

          Anyone would think it was unacceptable to design a vessel for a specific role and use it in that role.

        • Must have Mk41 VLS for me, add dragonfire, a towed array, phasers, and quantum torpedos. That should just about keep the naughty Spaniards away.

          I seriously wonder what people think these boats are used for when they make these comments.

          Official armament is 3 x GPMG, although I daresay a 50 cal could be bolted on if needs be.

    • You mean to say they don’t come armed with a 16″ turret and a full Sampson AAW suite? HoW wAs tHIs AlLoWEd? Shocking. /s 😂

    • Love the “lighthouse” comment… Lol 😁 And a good morning from Sydney. BTW I’m not negatively criticising these boats just asking a legitimate question re the forward gun mount even with tongue heavily in cheek.

  4. Gibraltar could really do with a designated guard ship or 2. Type 31 frigate should do the job. Ditto Falklands

  5. Lots of people seem to miss that in the confined territorial waters of Gibraltar speed is the key to intercept Spanish incursions. Anything OPV sized or larger may play well in the tabloids but all it would achieve would be to tie up an expensive asset that could be far better used elsewhere.

    Nimble patrol boats capable or 40 knots armed with GPMG’s or at most a 50.cal / minigun is absolutely fine for policing territorial waters and letting the Spanish know we are there.

    Non lethal additions like water cannons or sonic alarms may be fun though!!

    • Non lethal additions….reminds me of a thread a good 3 years back now where we discussed VLS launching rotten onions or chickens and I suggested pink dye. A few now non forum posters didn’t see the funny side though the captain thought it hillarious. Like I did.

    • Nice boat.

      Another option is to extend the Territorial Waters out to 12 miles, where they belong – like all the other coutries in the immediate area.

      Now what about Jersey buying the previous two?

      • Surely Scimitar and Sabre are too clapped out to sell to Jersey or anyone else, or why would they have needed interim replacement? I read somewhere they are being used for training. The P2000s are even older and probably also need returning to the university training squads they came from.

  12. I like these boats. Get there fast and shout is what they are all about. A/several machine guns, fine. Decent optical sensors/night vision, great. Did I see a perhaps misleading mention of a £5 million pound boat somewhere? It is £10 million for two and a support package for…5? Years.
    AA

  13. i’m not long back from a visit to gibraltar after an absence of 30 years. i used to love the place with its history, the apes, and so,so many famous pubs but horrors of horrors, apart from the apes its all gone . the rock is like a spanish resort build site the place is unfriendly and very dirty.speaing to a local shop owner he said a ot of the blae should be laid at the doors of the M.O.D ships don’t go there much anymore and the pub/entertainment sector has been trashed. charles and his beloved hole in the wall was one of the last of the sailors favourite haunts to go. irish town, is a ghost town.. only the horseshoe and the ‘punchy monk'(angry friar) remain alas. i’m glad i went. but i like many old ‘jacks are always in the past times moves on, we should too

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here