HMS ''Cutlass'' is a
fast patrol boat
A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. There are many designs for patrol boats, and they ...
of the
British Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by Kingdom of England, English and Kingdom of Scotland, Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were foug ...
. She is a fast patrol boat with a maximum speed around designed for sovereignty protection and coastal security duties. She arrived in
Gibraltar in November 2021 after undergoing
sea trial
A sea trial is the testing phase of a watercraft (including boats, ships, and submarines). It is also referred to as a " shakedown cruise" by many naval personnel. It is usually the last phase of construction and takes place on open water, and ...
s in
Liverpool
Liverpool is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the List of English districts by population, 10th largest English district by population and its E ...
. The boat was formally handed over to the Royal Navy in March 2022.
Along with HMS ''Dagger'', she is replacing the patrol vessels in Gibraltar. The ''Scimitar''-class boats were deployed in Gibraltar after 2003 but were withdrawn from the territory in 2020, being then replaced by two ''Archer''-class boats on an interim basis until the arrival of the ''Cutlass''-class vessels.
On 4 May 2022, she was commissioned into the Royal Navy.
See also
*
British Forces Gibraltar
British Forces Gibraltar is the British Armed Forces stationed in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is used primarily as a training area, thanks to its good climate and rocky terrain, and as a stopover for aircraft and ship ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cutlass (P295)
2021 ships
Ships built in the United Kingdom
Cutlass-class patrol vessels