Feature 5 | Patrol vessels
1706tonnes ships operate the AS-565MB
Panther helicopter and RIBs for maritime
interdiction missions.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard
will receive three coastal patrol vessels
from British shipbuilder, BAE Systems
Surface Ships; under a US$250 million
contract awarded to VT Shipbuilding in
April 2007 (VT was later bought by BAE
Systems). Displacing 2235tonnes the patrol
ships are helicopter-capable and equipped
with 30mm cannon, RIB and interceptor
craft for search and rescue missions and
counter-drug smuggling operations.
Cost overruns and delays mean the
ships will now be delivered in 2010. BAE
The Chilean Navy’s first PZM, Piloto Pardo, based in Talcahuano. The first pair of vessels Systems has sold the 90m-long coastal
is in service with construction of a second series of two expected to begin during 2010 patrol vessel design to Thai shipbuilder,
(Credit: Chilean Navy). Bangkok Dock, in June 2009, which will
adapt the design for the construction of
multi-mission OPVs for the Royal Thai
to establish a second naval base in the IV Patrullero de Zona Marítima (PZM) Navy. The contract includes the transfer
Amazon basin and provide new patrol programme to a design from German of technology and shipbuilding assistance
vessels to secure its extensive EEZ. The company, Fassmer. The programme from BAE Systems for one vessel that is
Brazilian Navy is set to receive up to 27 budget is projected to be worth about due for delivery within three years.
Vigilante-class (NAPA 500) patrol ships US$54 million. The expansion of the its Malaysia is updating its patrol ship fleet
built to French shipbuilder, Constructions patrol fleet is priority for the Chilean and has been building six 90m, 1676tonnes
Mecaniques de Normandie (CMN’s), 54m Navy as it is already required to police OPVs known as the Next Generation
Vigilante 400 CL 54 design. Construction in excess of 2 million km² of ocean in its Patrol Vessel. The first two ships were built
of the ships is being shared between two EEZ in the Pacific as well as provide naval in Germany by ThyssenKrupp Marine
local shipbuilders with the first pair built at search and rescue assistance beyond this Systems to their MEKO 100 design
Indústria Naval do Ceará (INACE) and a area. The Chilean government had plans following a US$1.5 billion order placed
second batch of four ships to be constructed for the procurement of the Fassmer- in 2000. The remaining four are being
at Estaleiro Ilha (EISA). Displacing designed OPVs with Argentina, but a built locally by Boustead Naval Shipyard,
484tonnes and armed with 40mm joint programme was delayed due to owned by the Malaysian government, and
cannon the ships will be used for coastal funding shortages and Argentina was there are plans for a second batch of six
patrolling. The Brazilian government has left behind and in November 2009 about updated vessels to be funded under the
approved the construction of a third batch US$156 million of funding was approved 10th Malaysia Plan 2010-2015.
of six ships and an invitation to tender by the government for up to five ships A total of 18 ships are expected but the
is expected in 2010. Under Brazil’s Fleet built locally at the Tandanor shipyard for future acquisition of further vessels was put
Renewal Programme the navy will also delivery in 2016. into doubt following delays introducing
acquire three 1828tonnes OPVs that must In the Caribbean, the Mexican Navy has the first pair of ships into service and cost
be ocean capable, with a helicopter flight re-launched its Oaxaca-class patrol vessel increases related to issues at Boustead’s
deck and the ability to operate for about programme. The construction programme Penang shipyard, where the two ships
three weeks in conditions up to Sea State for six vessels started in the early 2000s but were sent for outfitting. The first pair were
6. The primary reason for this huge naval was halted at just two ships in 2003 due to commissioned in 2006 but not accepted
expansion is to secure Brazil’s extensive funding shortages. However, work on the into service until 2009. The remaining four
coast line, and protect access to resources third and fourth vessels began again in indigenously built ships are to be brought
in its EEZ and continental shelf. November 2008. into service this year. Lightly armed with
Elsewhere in South America, the Construction of the ships is being shared a 76mm gun the ships are designed for
Chilean Navy is completing its own fleet between the state-owned naval shipyards patrolling Malaysia’s EEZ, however, the
renewal programme and is taking delivery Astillero de Marina No 1 in Tampico OPVs are fitted for, but not with, surface-
of four 1778tonnes patrol ships. Local and the Astillero de Marina No 20 in to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles that
shipbuilder, Astilleros y Maestranzas Salina Cruz. Funding worth US$166.2 could give it a stronger warfighting role if
de la Armada (ASMAR) was awarded a million for the fifth and sixth ships was required. The follow-on vessels could also
contract in May 2005 to build the four approved in the FY2010 budget and a be fitted with sonar and torpedoes for an
80m loa patrol vessels under the Danubio further two ships are now expected. The anti-submarine warfare role.
46 Ship & Boat International March/April 2010
SBI_MarApr10_p44-45-46-47-48.indd 46 26/02/2010 12:25:02
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