The ceremonial keel-laying of the first of two 76-meter patrol vessels being designed and built by Dearsan Shipyard for the needs of the Nigerian Navy took place today (Sept. 16) in Tuzla, Istanbul, in the presence of distinguished guests.
Nigerian Defense Minister Bashir Salihi Magashi was the chief guest at the event, Turkish Navy Commander Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Muhsin Dere, Nigerian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu GAMBO, and Dearsan Shipyard President attended the ceremony.
Dearsan Shipyard has inked a deal with Nigeria to build two offshore patrol vessels for the Nigerian Navy on October 03, 2021. The keel-laying ceremony marked the beginning of the construction of the vessels, which are expected to be delivered within 37 months, according to the previous statements of the company officials.
Procurement of the HE OPV 76s represents an important milestone in the Nigerian Navy’s fleet renewal push toward implementing its 2021-2030 Strategic Plan. According to the statements of the Chief of the Nigerian Navy in October 2021, these OPVs will be capable of carrying out maritime interdiction operations, surveillance, and special forces operations, as well as providing naval fire support to land forces, which will help to sustain the Nigerian Navy’s operational engagements on an upward trajectory.
About HE OPV-76
The HE OPV -76 has an overall length of 76.90 meters, a beam of 11.90 meters and a displacement of 1,100 tons, according to the video released by the company. The vessel will be operated by 47 personnel and have a range of 2500 nautical miles at the economical speed. HE OPV 76 will be able to stay at sea for 16 days.
The ship has a flight deck that can house a single helicopter but no hangar. The main engines are four MAN 18VP185 diesel engines with a top speed of 28kt.
The main gun of the ship will be the 40-millimeter MARLIN gun of Leonardo and will be armed with the Aselsan’s 30-millimeter SMASH at the stern of the ship. The ship will also be equipped with two Aselsan 12.7 mm RWS STAMP.
The Turkish company HAVELSAN will supply the ADVENT combat management system for the new OPVs, and the operator consoles will be supplied by another Turkish company, YALTES. The sensor suit of the new OPVs consists of the 2D surface search radar from the Italian company GEM Elettronica and the fire control system EO.
The HE OPV-76s will carry 2 RHIBs for relevant operations.
