Attacker-class patrol boat

The Attacker class (also referred to as the Tracker class) is a class of patrol boats. Formerly operated by the Royal Navy and HM Customs, seven of the class are currently operated by the Lebanese Navy[1] and two by Lebanese Customs

For the Australian patrol boat class, see Attack-class patrol boat.

Class overview
Name: Attacker class
Builders: Fairey Allday Marine
Operators:
General characteristics (Lebanon service)
Type: Patrol boat
Displacement: 34.54 tons (full load)
Length:
  • 20 m (66 ft) (overall)
  • 19.25 m (63.2 ft) (waterline)
Beam: 5.18 m (17.0 ft)
Draught: 1.15 m (3.8 ft)
Propulsion: 2 × G.M. 12V71 T1 diesels driving 2 shafts, 1,300 bhp
Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h)
Range: 650 nautical miles (1,200 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h)
Complement: 11
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Decca 1216 navigation radar (ex-Royal Navy)
  • Decca 2690 navigation radar (ex-British Customs)
Armament:
  • 3 × 12.7 mm machine guns (ex-Royal Navy)
  • 1 × twin 23 mm anti-aircraft gun (ex-British Customs)
Notes: Taken from:[1]

Design and construction

The Attacker class was constructed by Fairey Allday (Fairey Marine Ltd), on the River Hamble in Hampshire, England.[1] HMS Attacker was built in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, while the rest of the class were built in Southampton.[2]

The ships have glass-reinforced plastic hulls.[1] The Vessels were allocated to various RNR Divisions. HMS Striker being based in Liverpool as a tender to HMS Eaglet. Eventually the vessels were re allocated to the URNUs.

Operational history

HMS Attacker, Hunter and Striker formed the Cyprus Squadron and were used for patrol and harbour protection. HMS Attacker was the training ship for the University Royal Naval Unit serving Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities, while HMS Chaser performed this role at Aberdeen University and HMS Fencer performed the same role for Southampton University. Patrol ships carried three General purpose machine guns, while the training ships were unarmed.[2]

The Attacker class was decommissioned from the Royal Navy during 1991 and 1992.[1] All five ships were sold to the Lebanese Navy in July 1992.[1] Two Attackers formerly operated by the British Customs Service were also sold to Lebanon in March 1994.[1]

List of ships
  • HMS Attacker (P281) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Trablous in 1992.[1]
  • HMS Chaser (P282) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Jbeil in 1992.[1]
  • HMS Fencer (P283) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Jounieh in 1992.[1]
  • HMS Hunter (P284) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Arz in 1992.[1]
  • HMS Striker (P285) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Saida in 1992.[1]
  • Safeguard (Customs) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Batroun in 1994.[1]
  • Swift (Customs) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Sarafand in 1994.[1]
  • Libnan II (Lebanese Customs)
  • Arz II (Lebanese Customs)

References
  1. Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World (Google Books). Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 445–6. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.
  2. Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010. p. . ISBN 978-0-7106-2888-6. OCLC 432267210.
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