According to information published by the UK Ministry of Defense on April 1, 2022, Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron have taken delivery of their second new £5m patrol boat.
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Cutlass-class HMS Dagger (Picture source: Royal Navy)
HMS Cutlass joins HMS Dagger in their role of "guardians of the Rock", replacing HMS Sabre and Scimitar, which operated in Gibraltar’s waters for nearly two decades.
Dagger and Cutlass will be based in HM Naval Base Gibraltar and used to patrol British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, support British exercises and operations in the area, and will keep close watch over Gibraltar’s shores.
Dagger must first undergo a rigorous set of sea trials and safety checks until she can fly a White Ensign. These trials are due to be complete in mid-2022.
Built by Merseyside-based Marine Specialised Technology, whose team is working with the RN squadron to introduce Cutlass into service, the new boats are 19 meters long – slightly longer than Sabre and Scimitar, slightly shorter than Dasher and Pursuer – can hit speeds of 40 knots (74 km/h) and are equipped with three machine-guns and the latest electronic/optical equipment to assist in identifying potential threats.
The Cutlass-class fast patrol boat is powered by Three Volvo D13 engines driving three MJP 350X Waterjets. The patrol boat has a crew of six and the possibility to have up to six passengers.
