HMS Scimitar (P284)

HMS Scimitar was a Scimitar-class fast patrol boat of the British Royal Navy. She is a Lifespan Patrol Vessel type boat and formerly served in inland waterway duties in Northern Ireland as MV Grey Fox. She was acquired to serve with the Gibraltar Squadron, tasked with policing, customs and search and rescue duties. This released an Archer-class patrol vessel for tasking with the Cyprus Squadron.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Scimitar.

HMS Scimitar off Gibraltar with Type 45 Destroyer HMS Daring in 2016
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Scimitar
BuilderHalmatic Ltd, Portsmouth
LaunchedDecember 1992
Commissioned2003
Decommissioned30 March 2022
Identification
StatusAwaiting disposal
General characteristics
Class and typeScimitar-class patrol vessel
Displacement24 tonnes (24 long tons)
Length16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Beam3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Draught1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Propulsion2 × MAN 2480LXE diesels, 2 shafts
Speed32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Range260 nmi (480 km) at 19 kn (35 km/h)
Complement7 (1 officer, 6 ratings)
Sensors and
processing systems		Racal-Decca Bridgemaster 360, I band navigation radar
Armament2 × General purpose machine guns (stern-mounted)

Operational history
Scimitar escorts HMS Daring into Gibraltar in 2016

Scimitar was involved in a diplomatic incident between the United Kingdom and Spain in November 2009 after being alleged by the Spanish to have been using the Spanish flag as a target during gunnery practice. The Ministry of Defence stated that the ship had actually been shooting at a NATO maritime signal flag, which is similar in appearance.[1]

On 3 May 2011 Scimitar was dispatched to intercept the Spanish Serviola-class patrol boat Atalaya when she entered British waters around Gibraltar and ordered the Spanish ship to leave the area.[2] Scimitar took part in another encounter with a Spanish naval vessel on 4 April 2017. It challenged Infanta Cristina, a Descubierta-class corvette that had entered British waters off of Gibraltar. Infanta Cristina left without further incident.[3]

On 8 November 2017, HMS Scimitar intercepted the Spanish corvette Infanta Elena trying to enter British territorial waters off Gibraltar.[4]

Replacement
Scimitar with Merlin HC3 of 846 NAS off Gibraltar

In July 2017 it was revealed that the Gibraltar Squadron would receive two new warships which will be more "capable", "faster" and have "bigger guns", to replace Sabre and Scimitar "within the next two years".[5]

On 24 July 2020, an announcement was made that the promised two new warships have been ordered from Marine Specialised Technology (MST Ltd) with the first to be delivered in (Q3 2021/22) and the second in (Q1 2022/2023). The contract is expected to cost at least £9.9 million. The patrol vessel replacements are initially going to be armed with X3 General Purpose Machine Guns (1 on the foredeck and 2 on the aft deck) as well as being fitted for but not with a 0.50 cal Heavy Machine Gun. The ships are going to be 19 m (62 ft 4 in) long, carry 6 crew and 6 passengers and travel at 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph).[6]

In September 2020 Scimitar, along with her sister ship Sabre, returned to Portsmouth aboard MV Anvil Point having been replaced temporarily by HMS Dasher and HMS Pursuer.[7]

After a period operating in UK waters Scimitar and Sabre were decommissioned in a joint ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base on 30 March 2022.[8]

References
  1. Kingstone, Steve (20 November 2009). "UK 'sorry' for shooting at 'Spanish flag' buoy". BBC News. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  2. "Gibraltar Slams New 'Incursion' By Spanish Navy". DefenceTalk.com. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  3. Farmer, Ben (4 April 2017). "Royal Navy chases Spanish patrol boat out of waters off Gibraltar as Nigel Farage says UK must not be 'bullied'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  4. Allison, George (8 November 2017). "Spanish warship forced away from Gibraltar by patrol boat HMS Scimitar". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  5. "Gibraltar Squadron to receive two new warships". Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. "RN Gibraltar Squadron Being Replaced". Seawaves Magazine. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  7. "HMS Sabre and Scimitar depart British Gibraltar Territorial Waters for the final time". Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  8. @HmsSabre (30 March 2022). "A bittersweet afternoon as HM Ships Scimitar and Sabre lower the White Ensign for the last time. Team Sabre were p…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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