DÉFENSE ZONE
In a press release published today, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) announced that on 12 August it ordered a new-generation coastal patrol boat for the maritime gendarmerie. The construction of 5 more vessels is also planned.
The contract, worth a maximum of 110 million euros, has been awarded to the consortium formed by Socarenam and CNN MCO. It covers the development, construction and through-life support of the 6 vessels. The first of them, due for delivery in Cherbourg in the second half of 2024, will be built at the Socarenam shipyard in Boulogne-sur-Mer. A second patrol boat will then join Cherbourg, while the other 4 will be based in Lorient, Toulon, Pointe-à-Pitre and Papeete.
“These patrol boats will carry out maritime safeguard missions (maritime defence of the territory (DMT) and State action at sea (AEM), notably maritime security, fisheries policing, maritime and public order intelligence, detection of migratory flows).” says the DGA. It adds: “Their missions involve numerous interventions, with an inspection team sent aboard vessels at sea. This is why they are equipped with a fast boat capable of up to 40 knots.”
These vessels, which can reach 21 knots, can accommodate 25 people for day missions. They are able to carry out 7-day missions with 15 crew members. “In keeping with their missions, their armament consists of MAG58 machine guns and a 12.7 mm machine gun”, the DGA specifies.
Photo credit: @ALPACIFRAPACOM
