The third of five Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels has been christened HMS Trent following an official naming ceremony in Govan, Glasgow.
Alongside sister ships – Forth, Medway, Tamar and Spey – HMS Trent will make a marked contribution to UK defence and security, performing vital counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling and maritime security operations to secure Britain’s borders.
It was Mrs Pamela Potts who officially named the ship, pushing the button to crack a bottle of gin – distilled close by the River Trent – against the immense hull. Notably, Mrs Potts is the wife of Vice Admiral Duncan Potts, Director General of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.
“As the third of five Offshore Patrol Vessels being built in Scotland, HMS Trent will soon be part of a fleet of highly capable ships,” said the Minister for Defence Procurement, Guto Bebb.
“These new vessels will keep the UK safe by conducting counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and other vital maritime operations. UK Defence has invested in an unprecedented ship-building production line in Glasgow and the city’s shipyards with their 1,700 highly skilled engineers and technicians, benefiting from full order books for the next two decades.”
HMS Trent will now make its maiden voyage across the River Clyde to Scotstoun where she will be fully fitted out for sea trials. To date, this is the sixth Royal Navy vessel to bear the Trent moniker. Once operational, she will be outfitted with a medium-calibre gun and a flight deck capable of accommodating a Merlin helicopter.
Iain Stevenson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “This is another landmark moment for the River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel programme and an important day that honours the traditions of the Royal Navy. Today is made even more special as we are able to see the full scale of TRENT as she prepares to enter the water for the very first time in the next few days. This is yet another reminder of the importance of what we do.”
Following a period of rigorous sea trials, it is thought HMS Trent will be delivered to the Royal Navy during the latter half of 2018.
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