This order is the subject of three contracts for a total amount of 900 million euros:
- The production contract was awarded to the temporary group of companies composed of CMN, PIRIOU and SOCARENAM.
- A contract for project management and supply of the combat management system was awarded to NAVAL GROUP.
- THALES has also been awarded a contract to equip the first seven offshore patrol vessels with the latest generation of maritime surveillance equipment
The 2024-2030 French military planning law calls for ten new generation OPVs to be in service by 2035, with a first delivery planned for 2026. These OPVs will replace the venerable Avisos (known as PHM in the French Navy) based in Brest and Toulon, as well as the Flamant-class patrol vessels (PSP) based in Cherbourg.
In a press release, the DGA explained:
In a context marked by the increase in maritime traffic and the tightening of threats at sea, patrol boats fulfill a very broad spectrum of missions: support for deterrence, presence in areas of sovereignty and interest, evacuation, protection, escort and intervention in state action at sea.
The first stage of the offshore patrol program, based on the acquisition of seven vessels, will fill a deficit in the second-rank vessel segment, taking into account the decommissioning of offshore patrol vessels that has already taken place, and will initiate the rise in power of these vessels on each of the three metropolitan bases: Brest, Toulon and Cherbourg.
Adapted to a semi-permissive environment, the offshore patrol vessels will be distinguished in particular by a solid information processing capacity, efficient seakeeping and will be able to deploy in the long term a helicopter or a drone suitable for aeromaritimes missions.
Naval Group, as the industrial architect of the project, is in charge of defining the architecture of the armed vessel and the design studies. The preliminary design studies began in October 2020, and the detailed design studies were completed in October 2023.
Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVs capabilities
Naval News understands the new OPVs will bring a capability step to the French Navy over the in-service vessels which are getting extremely old – The D’Estienne d’Orves-class avisos entered service in the seventies (the six vessels of the class still in service entered the French fleet in the early 1980ies meaning a 40+ years service life).
The Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVs will have a displacement of about 2,400 tons. As previously reported by Naval News, the initial requirements called for a displacement of around 2,000 tons. The vessels can accommodate up to 84 personnel (crew + passengers) and have a range of 6,000 nautical miles. They will accommodate the next generation RHIBs of the French Navy (EDO 4G and ETRACO NG) and HIL / Guépard Marine (H160M) helicopter. The panoramic bridge offers a 360° view on the surroundings of the vessel.
The vessels will feature modern sensors such as the Bluewatcher hull mounted sonar, NS50 surveillance radar and IFF – friend/enemy identification system. They are also expected to be fitted with the new Rapidfire naval gun system by Nexter and Thales. Naval Group will supply the SETIS-C combat management system and the Shipmaster surface ship automated operating system.
Last but not least, Naval Group recently unveiled a new modular launcher which the French shipbuilder is pitching to the Navy for fitting on the new OPVs:
