Negotiations between the Belgian Ministry of Defense and the French shipyard SOCARENAM for the delivery of a third Coastal Patrol Vessel (CPV) have just been successfully finalized. « Construction of the vessel can now begin », the Belgian MoD said last week on the margin of the Euronaval show in Paris.
This additional CPV will be delivered for the first half of 2027, then strengthening a fleet today composed of the Castor (P901) and Pollux (P902) vessels delivered in 2014 and 2015. The 53 meters long CPV has a crew of 15, features a 360° and is armed with a 12.7 mm remote weapon station.
Approved on January 26th by the Belgian government, this investment « is absolutely necessary given the increasing number of challenges that Belgium and, more specifically, the Navy are facing today », the MoD stated.
« It will align with the numerous missions already accomplished by its predecessors : participation in NATO operations, crew training, monitoring of non-NATO military vessels sailing near our coasts, as well as surveillance of critical infrastructure located in our territorial waters and our exclusive economic zone », the Belgian Defense Ministry, Ludivine Dedonder declared.
« Thanks to this third CPV, the Navy will be able to continue to carry out its missions for national security and economic interests of the country, while our fleet is called to do more and more », she added.
