Archer-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Patrol vessel |
| Subtype | Patrol boat & training vessel |
| Manufacturer | Watercraft Marine |
| Year commissioned | 1985 |
| Units |
RSS Archer RSS Swordsman P163 HMS Express P164 HMS Explorer P165 HMS Example P167 HMS Exploit P264 HMS Archer P270 HMS Biter P272 HMS Smiter P273 HMS Pursuer P274 HMS Tracker P275 HMS Raider P279 HMS Blazer P280 HMS Dasher P291 HMS Puncher P292 HMS Charger P293 HMS Ranger P294 HMS Trumpeter |
Operators
Description
The Archer class, also designated as the P2000, is a class of patrol and training vessels in service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Oman Police. The design is based on an Omani coastguard cutter. Watercraft Marine began construction on the initial order of ten vessels, which was completed by Vosper Thornycroft after Watercraft Marine entered liquidation. In 1994, four ships previously designated as Example-class tenders for the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service transferred to the Royal Navy. Two further vessels, HMS Raider and HMS Tracker, were commissioned from Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in 1998.
The vessels utilize moulded glass-reinforced plastic hulls and twin-shaft propulsion. The NATO designation for the class is PBR, indicating a patrol boat for riverine and harbour use. Internal configurations include a magazine area that functions as midshipmen sleeping quarters when the vessel is not in an armed configuration. Most units serve as training craft, but specific ships are modified for force protection. HMS Tracker, HMS Raider, HMS Dasher, and HMS Pursuer are equipped with armor plating and pintle-mounted machine guns. HMS Ranger and HMS Trumpeter maintain the necessary fittings to mount a cannon on the forecastle.
Fourteen of the sixteen Royal Navy vessels are assigned to the Coastal Forces Squadron, formerly the 1st Patrol Boat Squadron. These ships serve as training platforms for the Royal Naval Reserve and University Royal Naval Units. Operational service includes the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron, where vessels escort submarines and protect high-value shipping at HMNB Clyde. The class has also been deployed in overseas roles. HMS Pursuer and HMS Dasher operated as the Cyprus Squadron from 2003 to 2010 and later served with the Gibraltar Squadron between 2020 and 2022. HMS Ranger and HMS Trumpeter previously performed guard ship and search and rescue duties in Gibraltar and escorted the Royal Barge during the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. One vessel, Dheeb Al Bahari, is operated by the Royal Oman Police Coastguard Command.
Technical specifications
| Displacement | 54 tons |
| Range | 550 km |
| Crew | 12 members |
| Width | 5.8 m (19.0 ft) |
| Length | 19.9 m (65.3 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, Cat C18 ACERT diesels |
| Armament |
|
| Maximum speed | 20 knots |
Further Reading
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.