(10th May 2001)
Patrol Vessel Contract Placed
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced today that Vosper Thornycroft has been awarded the long awaited contract to provide the Royal Navy with three new patrol vessels. Under the contract Vosper Thornycroft will not only build the three vessels, but also lease them to the Royal Navy and provide in service support for five years. Furthermore, the company will also support the Island Class Patrol Vessels until they leave service.
The three vessels will be known as the River Class and will bear the names Tyne, Severn and Mersey.
Above: An artist's impression of the new River Class Patrol Vessel.