According to information released by the British MoD, on June 16, 2021, A £36 million contract has been awarded to British Company Marine Specialised Technology (MST) to deliver 18 new police patrol crafts for the MoD (Ministry of Defense) and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) Forces.
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British Company MST Police Patrol Craft. (Picture source MST)
To be used around Royal Naval bases in the UK and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, the five-year contract will deliver 16 patrol craft to the MOD Police and two craft to the GDP, replacing those currently in use.
The police patrol crafts will play an important role in Defence, enhancing capabilities to safeguard UK and Gibraltar waters and escort major Royal Navy assets in and out of Naval bases at home and overseas.
The 15-metre crafts will be able to carry 3 crew members and up to 4 passengers, travelling up to 30 knots. They will be fitted with a CCTV surveillance system, two Marine Jet Power waterjets and reinforced with bullet-proof protection against incoming fire.
As a highly manoeuvrable craft, they will also be used for 24/7 policing to protect Defence assets and deter and detect any potential threats. Able to operate in all weather conditions, direct support to the Royal Navy will also include escort, cordons and maritime security capabilities.
This acquisition will ensure the continuity of an important capability for the MOD Police to deter and defend against threats to UK bases and overseas territories. These crafts will provide the British MoD police with a modern, fast and effective capability for fulfilling their important role.
The constant waterborne patrol and policing at UK Naval Bases will include HMNB Portsmouth, HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde, as well as the Gibraltar Naval Dockyard. Construction has already started on the design project and the first police patrol craft is expected to be delivered in July 2022.
