The Cutlass class is a Royal Navy force-protection patrol boat class built by Marine Specialised Technology for Gibraltar Squadron duties. The two 19-metre craft combine 40-knot waterjet performance, optical and infra-red sensing, OpenSea360 mission-system integration, and a compact crew/passenger layout for territorial-water security, visiting-warship protection, and maritime-interdiction support from Gibraltar.
Cutlass-class patrol boats supported 2026 French operations against sanctioned Russian shadow-fleet tankers tied by UK reporting to Russia's war against Ukraine: HMS Dagger monitored Grinch through the Strait of Gibraltar in January, and HMS Cutlass tracked MV Deyna, reported its movements, and captured imagery in March.
Role detailsThe Cutlass class is a two-boat Gibraltar Squadron class. Royal Navy sources identify HMS Cutlass and HMS Dagger as the active vessels and describe both as Gibraltar-based craft for British Gibraltar Territorial Waters security.
| Boat | Service milestone | Documented role |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Cutlass | Commissioned into the Gibraltar Fast Patrol Squadron in May 2022. | First of the two high-speed patrol boats; a permanent replacement for earlier Gibraltar Squadron fast patrol craft and used for HMNB Gibraltar and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters patrols. |
| HMS Dagger | Delivered to Gibraltar on 1 April 2022 and formally commissioned on 14 July 2022. | Sister boat to HMS Cutlass; based at HM Naval Base Gibraltar for patrols, local exercises and operations, and close watch over Gibraltar's shores. |
CGI OpenSea360 integrates platform systems, sensors, navigation and communications for the two 19 m Royal Navy craft, with multi-function displays for high-speed operation.
Royal Navy and DE&S material describe modern optical and infra-red systems used to identify and track potential threats at range.
The boats use three Volvo D13-1000 engines with triple MJP350X waterjets, supporting the documented 40-knot patrol craft requirement.
In 2025, Gibraltar Squadron trained with 700X Naval Air Squadron to operate lightweight camera quadcopters for maritime security, reconnaissance, and force protection.
This is a squadron capability rather than a fixed built-in boat sensor.
The Cutlass class was announced with a three-machine-gun fit for Gibraltar patrol duties.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | General-purpose machine gun | GOV.UK says the Gibraltar fast patrol craft initially carry three machine guns, and Your Gibraltar TV described the two boats as armed with three general-purpose machine guns. Sources: GOV.UK: Royal Navy confirms two new fast patrol boats, Royal Navy Gib Squadron Welcomes HMS Cutlass - Your Gibraltar TV |
The class was announced as fitted for .50-caliber heavy machine guns.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 12.7 mm heavy machine gun | GOV.UK says HMS Cutlass will be fitted for, but not with, 0.50-cal heavy machine guns. Sources: GOV.UK: Royal Navy confirms two new fast patrol boats |
GOV.UK reported that the Queen approved HMS Dagger and HMS Cutlass as the new fast patrol boats based in Gibraltar.
Sources: GOV.UK: Royal Navy confirms two new fast patrol boats
The Royal Navy said HMS Cutlass had been handed over after three months of trials and was ready for the final readiness checks.
Sources: Gib Squadron welcome Cutlass as £5m patrol boat is handed over
The Royal Navy said Gibraltar Squadron had taken delivery of HMS Dagger, joining HMS Cutlass as the second new £5m patrol boat before sea trials and safety checks.
Sources: Royal Navy: HMS Dagger arrives in Gibraltar
Defence Equipment & Support reported that HMS Cutlass was commissioned into the Gibraltar Fast Patrol Squadron at HMNB Gibraltar.
Sources: Defence Equipment & Support: New Patrol Boat HMS Cutlass Delivered to Royal Navy
The Royal Navy said HMS Dagger was formally commissioned at Gibraltar Naval Base, completing the two-boat Cutlass-class investment for the Gibraltar Squadron.
Sources: Royal Navy: HMS Dagger commissioned into the fleet
The Royal Navy said Gibraltar Squadron personnel trained with 700X Naval Air Squadron to operate small camera quadcopters for maritime security, reconnaissance, and force-protection missions around British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
Sources: Royal Navy: Gibraltar Squadron embraces drone technology
The Royal Navy said HMS Dagger monitored the sanctioned tanker Grinch through the Strait of Gibraltar and took photographs in support of a French boarding operation.
Sources: Royal Navy: Dagger monitored tanker Grinch
The Royal Navy said HMS Cutlass tracked MV Deyna, reported its movements, and captured imagery to support French forces during an operation against a sanctioned Russian oil tanker.
Sources: Royal Navy: Cutlass tracked MV Deyna
