HMS Cutlass (P295)

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HMS Cutlass, 2022
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Cutlass
BuilderMarine Specialised Technology, Merseyside
Laid downJuly 2020[1][2]
AcquiredNovember 2021
Commissioned4 May 2022
HomeportPJOB Gibraltar/HQ British Forces Gibraltar
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeCutlass-class patrol vessel
Displacement35 tons (full load)
Length19 m (62 ft 4 in)
PropulsionThree Volvo D13 engines; triple MJP 350X waterjets[3]
Speed41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph)
Complement6 personnel + up to 6 passengers
Armament3 × general purpose machine guns (bow & stern-mounted); [For but not with: 1 × .50 machine gun]

HMS Cutlass is a Cutlass-class fast patrol boat of the British Royal Navy. She is a fast patrol boat with a maximum speed around 41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph) designed for sovereignty protection and coastal security duties. She is part of the Royal Navy's Gibraltar Squadron and arrived in the territory in November 2021[4] after undergoing sea trials in Liverpool.[5][6] The boat was formally handed over to the Royal Navy in March 2022.[7]

Along with HMS Dagger, she is replacing the Scimitar-class 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 The Scimitar-class boats were deployed in Gibraltar after 2003 but were withdrawn from the territory in 2020, being then replaced by two Archer-class boats on an interim basis until the arrival of the Cutlass-class vessels.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.[8]

In May 2024, Cutlass deployed to Algarve coast for joint exercises with the Portuguese Navy.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Scott, Richard (24 July 2020). "MST wins UK MoD contract for new Gibraltar fast patrol craft". Janes.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Marine Specialised Technology (MST) Selects MJP Waterjets for UK Mod Gibraltar Squadron Contact" (Press release). Marine Jet Power. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Royal Navy's HMS Cutlass Jet-propelled Patrol Vessels Completes Initial Trials". 16 November 2021.
  4. ^ "HMS CUTLASS, HSC - Details and current position - MMSI 232035463 - VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  5. ^ "HMS Cutlass, Gibraltar Squadron's new patrol boat, undergoes sea trials". Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Royal Navy Gib Squadron Welcomes HMS Cutlass". Your Gibraltar TV. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Gibraltar Squadron Welcomes HMS Cutlass". Seawaves Magazine. 1 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  8. ^ @MODGibraltar (4 May 2022). "Today HMS Cutlass was officially commissioned at @RNGibSqn" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Gibraltar Squadron renews ties with Portuguese Navy through Algarve training". Royal Navy. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.