Merlin Lands on River Batch 2 OPV

Helis, May 13, 2020 - A Royal Navy Merlin HC.4 helicopter landed on a River Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) on deployment for the first time.

The Merlin, assigned to 845 Naval Air Squadron and attached to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Argus (A135), is currently deployed in the Caribbean to support British Overseas Territories during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The helicopter landed on the HMS Medway (P223) deployed in the region since last January as part of the Atlantic Patrol Task (North).

The Merlin HC.4 is the navalized variant of ex RAF helicopters transferred to the Royal Navy to replace the Junglie Sea King in the commando/logistics role.

HMS Medway is the second ship of the Batch 2 of patrol vessels which among many other differences has a longer hull with a larger flight deck although still with no hangar.