HMS Scimitar (P284)

HMS Scimitar is a Scimitar-class fast patrol boat of the British Royal Navy. She is a Lifespan Patrol Vessel type boat and formerly served in inland waterway duties in Northern Ireland as MV Grey Fox. She was acquired to serve with the Gibraltar Squadron, tasked with policing, customs and search and rescue duties. This released an Archer-class patrol vessel for tasking with the Cyprus Squadron.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Scimitar.

HMS Scimitar off Gibraltar in 2016
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Scimitar
Builder: Halmatic Ltd, Portsmouth
Launched: December 1992
Commissioned: 2003
Identification:
Status: No longer operational
General characteristics
Class and type: Scimitar-class patrol vessel
Displacement: 24 tonnes (24 long tons)
Length: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Beam: 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Draught: 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Propulsion: 2 × MAN 2480LXE diesels, 2 shafts
Speed: 32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Range: 260 nmi (480 km) at 19 kn (35 km/h)
Complement: 7 (1 officer, 6 ratings)
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Racal-Decca Bridgemaster 360, I band navigation radar
Armament: 2 × General purpose machine guns (stern-mounted)

Operational history

Scimitar was involved in a diplomatic incident between the United Kingdom and Spain in November 2009 after being alleged by the Spanish to have been using the Spanish flag as a target during gunnery practice. The Ministry of Defence stated that the ship had actually been shooting at a NATO maritime signal flag, which is similar in appearance.[1]

On 3 May 2011 Scimitar was dispatched to intercept the Spanish Serviola-class patrol boat Atalaya when she entered British waters around Gibraltar and ordered the Spanish ship to leave the area.[2] Scimitar took part in another encounter with a Spanish naval vessel on 4 April 2017. It challenged Infanta Cristina, a Descubierta-class corvette that had entered British waters off of Gibraltar. Infanta Cristina left without further incident.[3]

On 8 November 2017, HMS Scimitar intercepted the Spanish corvette Infanta Elena trying to enter British territorial waters off Gibraltar.[4]

Replacement

In July 2017 it was revealed that the Gibraltar Squadron would receive two new warships which will be more "capable", "faster" and have "bigger guns", to replace Sabre and Scimitar "within the next two years".[5]

As of the 24th July 2020, an announcement has been made that the promised two new warships have been ordered from Marine Specialised Technology (MST Ltd) with the first to be delivered in (Q3 2021/22) and the second in (Q1 2022/2023). The contract is expected to cost at least £9.9 million. The patrol vessel replacements are initially going to be armed with X3 General Purpose Machine Guns (1 on the foredeck and 2 on the aft deck) as well as being fitted for but not with a 0.50 cal Heavy Machine Gun. The ships are going to be 19 metres long, carry 6 crew and 6 passengers and travel at 40 knots.

Scimitar was reported as "no longer operational" as of July 2020. [6]

References
  1. Kingstone, Steve (20 November 2009). "UK 'sorry' for shooting at 'Spanish flag' buoy". BBC News. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  2. "Gibraltar Slams New 'Incursion' By Spanish Navy". DefenceTalk.com. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  3. Farmer, Ben (4 April 2017). "Royal Navy chases Spanish patrol boat out of waters off Gibraltar as Nigel Farage says UK must not be 'bullied'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  4. Allison, George (8 November 2017). "Spanish warship forced away from Gibraltar by patrol boat HMS Scimitar". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  5. "Gibraltar Squadron to receive two new warships". Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/order-placed-for-new-royal-navy-gibraltar-squadron-patrol-boats/
Scimitar with Merlin HC3 of 846 NAS off Gibraltar


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