Royal Navy’s newest patrol vessel sails into Gibraltar

HMS Forth, one of the Royal Navy’s most modern vessels, arrived in Gibraltar yesterday on what the Ministry of Defence described as a routine scheduled visit.
The Portsmouth-based ship is the first of the Royal Navy's next-generation of Offshore Patrol ships.
HMS Forth is the first of five new Offshore Patrol Vessels designed for counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, fishery protection, border patrol, counter terrorism and maritime defence duties.
She was first commissioned on April 13, 2018, and was officially welcomed into the UK naval fleet in June this year after completing operational sea training.
That same month, HMS Forth shadowed the Russian patrol ship Vasily Bykov as it sailed through the English Channel.
“As a brand new addition to the Royal Navy’s operational fleet, this was an ideal tasking for HMS Forth to display the versatility and capability of our ship,” said Lieutenant Samuel Fields, HMS Forth's executive officer, at the time.
“This is normal business for the Royal Navy, being prepared at all times to respond to any vessels in the UK’s area of interest.”
“HMS Forth is one of the Royal Navy’s ships kept at very high readiness to protect the integrity of UK waters.”
“The Royal Navy has an enduring commitment to protecting our home waters and is on duty 365 days a year to ensure this commitment is met.”
According to UK reports, HMS Forth is due to be sent to the Falklands to replace HMS Clyde as the islands’ guard vessel.