One of the Navy’s new offshore patrol vessels is to be named HMS Tamar, it was announced yesterday.

The Ministry of Defence revealed that one of the Royal Navy’s two new ships will be named after the River Tamar, from which the Royal Navy set sail to defeat the Spanish Armada. 

HMS Tamar will be built as part of a £287 million contract. 

HMS Tamar follows the Royal Navy’s tradition of recognising the service, history and Battle Honours of ships with the same name. Since 1758, six ships have been called HMS Tamar.  

In total, five new River Class ships will begin to enter service in 2018. 

They will have a versatile flight deck, improved firefighting equipment and greater storage and accommodation than previous vessels. 

The new ships, which will carry out counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and maritime defence operations, are expected to be equipped with a 30mm cannon and a flight deck capable of receiving a Merlin helicopter. 

Displacing around 2,000 tonnes, they will have a maximum speed of 24 knots and will be able to sail 5,500 nautical miles before having to resupply.