BAE Systems has just delivered its sixtieth high-speed Pacific 24 MkIV Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) to the Ministry of Defence at Portsmouth Naval Base UK.

It was due to be the last of a £13.5million order to supply the craft to the Royal Navy for use across the fleet but they’ve proved so effective in service that the MOD has ordered an additional four.

“They do everything they should do, and the Royal Navy users are very happy with them,” said Sam Phelps, of government agency Defence Equipment and Support.

The vessels are in service on board the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and one of the RIBs was recently filmed being used to board a ship during a drugs bust by Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Dragon.

The highly manoeuvrable, state-of-the-art RIBs can be deployed from ship or shore and have speeds of up to 38 knots (44 miles per hour).