Marine Specialised Technology Group (MST Group) and BMT on 16 November announced that the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron’s HPB-1900 jet-propelled patrol vessels, HMS Cutlass, has successfully completed initial trials. HMS Cutlass and the future HMS Dagger – due for delivery in late 2022 to early 2023 – will be used to patrol British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, supporting British exercises and operations in the area and keeping close watch over Gibraltar’s shores. The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron HMS Cutlass was delivered by MV Deo Volente. Cutlass arrived in Gibraltar this week and will be based at HMNB Gibraltar.
MST Group and BMT awarded a £9m contract by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence in July 2020. The HPB-1900 jet-propelled patrol vessels powered by three Volvo D13 engines driving triple MJP 350X Waterjets surpassed speed requirements in the latest trials. Each with a crew of six sailors and operating out of the Naval Base in Gibraltar. The vessels will provide 24/7/365 cover, racing through the waters around the territory at speeds of up to 40kts, providing protection for Royal Navy and visiting allied warships with machine-guns and, potentially, heavy machine-guns.
Sailors from the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron are a step closer to operating their new jet-propelled patrol vessels. Commanding Officers successfully completed the Jet Boat Course held at the Royal Navy School of Seamanship at HMS Raleigh. The two-week course gave the officers an opportunity to operate a vessel propelled by jets, rather than conventional propellers. The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron’s currently patrols the territorial waters with HMS Dasher and Pursuer, plus several small Pacific 24 RIBs. Dasher and Pursuer are temporary replacements for the squadron’s long-standing guardians, fast patrol boats HMS Scimitar and Sabre, which returned to the UK last summer.