HMS Spey on maiden sea trials in the Firth of Clyde. Credit: Royal Navy.

BAE Systems has announced that the fifth and final River Class Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), HMS Spey, has left the Glasgow shipyard.

The ship is on its way to its new home at Portsmouth Naval Base.

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This departure marks the completion of the build phase of the Batch 2 OPV programme.

BAE Systems was contracted for the design, construction, commissioning and delivery of five River Class OPVs for the Royal Navy.

The programme has helped BAE Systems to generate 1,400 jobs.

HMS Spey will join the four sister ships in the fleet of the Royal Navy. The ship recently completed sea trials for the vessel testing.

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The ship features a urea filter that can decrease up to 90% of the nitrogen oxide emissions, making HMS Spey will be the one of the fleet’s most environmentally friendly ships.

BAE Systems Naval Ships OPV delivery director Mike Macfarlane said: “We are immensely proud of our role in delivering these ships to the Royal Navy and this is a landmark moment for the River Class Batch 2 OPV programme, which showcases the skills and expertise we have here on the Clyde.

“Working collaboratively with the Royal Navy, the UK Ministry of Defence and our suppliers, we have successfully overcome this year’s Covid-19 challenges to deliver this strategically important programme, which will benefit and protect our nation’s interests at home and abroad.

“As the final OPV to leave the Clyde, we will be sad to see HMS Spey go, but wish her, her Commanding Officer and crew all the best in their new home with the Royal Navy in Portsmouth.”

In January, the Royal Navy’s OPV HMS Medway set sail from Portsmouth for the Caribbean as its crew started their first operational mission, Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North), in the region.

Last March, BAE Systems handed over HMS Medway to the British Royal Navy.