Royal Navy OPVs HMS Spey and HMS Tamar have now each spent more than half a decade deployed in the Indo-Pacific.
The two Batch II River-class offshore patrol vessels set sail for the other side of the world in 2021, becoming the first British warships on long-term deployment to the region since Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997.
As per a recent RN statement, more than 1,830 days have now passed since the sister ships and their initial crews of about 50 sailors left Portsmouth on Operation Highwall.
Since then their duties have included conducting maritime patrols, helping regional navies police their waters to prevent drug-trafficking, smuggling and illegal fishing. They have also played a key role in helping to enforce UN sanctions imposed on North Korea, and promoting the U.K.’s military and economic interests.
HMS Spey has taken part in 14 international military exercises, and also helped deliver aid to Tonga in the wake of an underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami in early 2022.
She has spent more than 15,000 hours at sea — almost two years — and has sailed more than 161,000 nautical miles. HMS Tamar has clocked up nearly as many hours and miles herself, meaning between them the pair have sailed the equivalent of almost 15 times around the world since their mission began.
Crew changes take place every six or seven weeks, with personnel flying out from the U.K. to relieve their shipmates.
HMS Tamar’s Commanding Officer Commander Tom Lindsey commented: “Even though my ship has been on station in the Indo-Asia-Pacific for five years, we’re still forging new ground, such as our recent visit to Cambodia which was the first time a British warship entered their newly constructed naval base.”
And HMS Spey CO Commander Dan Briscoe added: “We’ve maintained a persistent presence over 8,000 nautical miles from the U.K., with long logistical supply chains, delivering on operations, over 300 days at sea every year.
“And we have flown the Royal Navy and UK flag in a hugely important geopolitical region with very little other consistent UK footprint.”
Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse called the milestone “a phenomenal achievement and a powerful demonstration of the Royal Navy’s ability to sustain a persistent presence at strategic distance.”
- You can read more details on the Royal Navy website
