Two new fast patrol boats confirmed by UK Navy


According to information published by The Royal Navy on April 22, 2021, she can confirm the Her Majesty the Queen has approved the names of two new fast patrol boats, which will be based in Gibraltar, as HM Ships Dagger and Cutlass.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Information on the Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Craft. (Picture source: UK government)


Dagger is a name new to the Royal Navy. It was due to have been assigned to a weapon-class anti-submarine escort in late World War 2. But, the conflict ended and the ship was cancelled.

Only one previous HMS Cutlass has served under the White Ensign. During the 1970s with her sisters Scimitar and Sabre, not the same vessels which later served in Gibraltar. She was used to train Royal Navy and NATO warships to deal with the threat of fast missile/torpedo craft as part of the First Fast Training Boat Squadron.

The Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Craft is supporting British operations and patrolling HMNB Gibraltar and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. 

The vessels will be powered by three Volvo D13-1000 engines and three MJP350X water jets. They will have a length of 19 m and will be able to reach a speed of 40 knots. The vessels will be armed with 3 purpose machine gun and will have a crew of six sailors.