Archer-class

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.