Archer-class

Summary

Description

The Archer class, also referred to as the P2000 class, is a class of patrol and training vessels used by the Royal Navy, notably serving as fast training boats. Most vessels of this class are part of the Coastal Forces Squadron. Notably, HMS Tracker and HMS Raider are armed and mainly tasked with escort duties for submarines heading towards the naval base at Faslane, providing maritime force protection to high-value assets in the Firth of Clyde.

The vessels were initially designed and ordered from Watercraft Marine, based on the design of an Omani coast guard cutter. However, after Watercraft Marine fell into liquidation, Vosper Thornycroft completed the rest of the order. Initially, the Royal Navy used these boats for patrol duties and as training ships for the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and University Royal Naval Units (URNU). The class was expanded with the Example-class tenders originally ordered for the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS). After the RNXS was disbanded in 1994, these similar vessels were transferred to the Royal Navy, repurposed as Archer-class ships and remained in similar use.

In 1998, two additional vessels, Raider and Tracker, joined the Royal Navy to replace previous URNU training vessels, bringing the total count to sixteen. Of these, fourteen vessels formed the Coastal Forces Squadron. Two other vessels, Pursuer and Dasher, served with the Cyprus Squadron and later became part of the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron in the UK.

The operational history of the class includes the replacement of Pursuer and Dasher with Raider and Tracker at HMNB Clyde, recognizable by the pintle-mounted L7 7.62 mm GPMG machine guns and armor plating they carry. Ranger and Trumpeter were allocated to the Gibraltar Squadron but were relieved by Scimitar class vessels. These two were also part of the Thames River Pageant during Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and are distinct as they retain the capability to mount a 20 mm cannon.

The Archer class functions under the NATO designation "PBR," which stands for "patrol boat - riverine and harbors." This reflects the flexibility and utility of these vessels in a variety of coastal patrol and training scenarios. The vessels are known for specific quirks such as the traditional berthing of midshipmen in the gun-room, which in times of peace, due to the absence of mounted guns, serves as their sleeping quarters. Throughout the service period, operational adjustments and transfers have continually adapted the fleet to the evolving requirements of the Royal Navy's patrol and training missions. .

Technical specifications