Scimitar-class patrol vessel explained

The Scimitar class were a class of fast patrol boat formerly in service with the British Royal Navy.

The two vessels of this class were of a commercial design known as the Lifespan Patrol Vessel built by Halmatic (now BAE Systems Surface Ships), and formerly served in an inshore waterways anti-terrorist role in Northern Ireland. They were acquired for the Royal Navy in 2003 for service with the Gibraltar Squadron, releasing two boats that had filled this role for service with the Cyprus Squadron.^[1]

With the decommissioning of the survey launch in February 2018, the two Scimitar-class boats became the smallest commissioned vessels in the Royal Navy.^[2] The two vessels were returned to the U.K. from Gibraltar in 2020, having been replaced there by two Archer-class boats, but were reported as still operational in Portsmouth at the end of 2020. Both vessels were decommissioned in a joint ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base on 30 March 2022.^[3]

Vessels in the class

Name	Pennant number	Builder	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Status
(ex-MV Grey Fox)	P284	Halmatic Ltd, Portsmouth	31 January 2003	30 March 2022	Converted to medical vessel, MV Lady Jean^[4]
(ex-MV Grey Wolf)	P285	Halmatic Ltd, Southampton			Awaiting disposal

External links

• Web site: Patrol Boats - Scimitar class . Royal Navy.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Patrol Boats - Scimitar class . Royal Navy . 14 June 2014.
2. Web site: Royal Navy decommissions inshore survey vessel HMS Gleaner . 19 February 2018 . Naval Today . 9 March 2019.
3. A bittersweet afternoon as HM Ships Scimitar and Sabre lower the White Ensign for the last time. . HmsSabre . 1509153803534225408 . 30 March 2022 . 3 April 2022.
4. @NavyLookout Ex-HMS Scimitar converted to medical vessel, MV Lady Jean, now being transported to Tanzania. She will serve as part of the @vinetrust Jubilee Hope Medical Programme providing services to remote island communities on Lake Victoria. . 1813922802061205587 . NavyLookout . 18 July 2024 . 18 July 2024.