The UK Royal Navy's first of five next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMS Forth, has been formally commissioned at her home base of Portsmouth. The vessel was designed for counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, fishery protection, border patrol, counter-terrorism and maritime defence duties. Being built by BAE Systems, the remaining four ships HMS Trent, Medway, Tamar and Spey are all expected to arrive in Portsmouth by 2020. The new OPVs can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots and have an increased range of 5,500 nautical miles. The platform is able to accommodate Wildcat and Merlin helicopters on its flight deck.