Here is the first part of the OPVs Sector Report 2010 giving you nation-by-nation developments on the current and future naval requirements and procurement plans. The full report is available at the OPvs Content Library at www.offshorepatrolvessels.com along with other free downloadable OPVs reports, interviews, articles and presentations.

1. OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS - SECTOR REPORT
Introduction
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are the fastest growing segment of the Naval
Vessels Market. At least 30 countries are known to have a total of 89 OPVs
on order and plans for another 98 at a value of over $15 Billion.
OPVs can be broadly classified into 2 types; 1) High-end war-fighting vessels
with expensive weapon systems and C4I suites and 2) More basic patrol
vessels, designed for sustained low intensity missions and equipped with
basic gun armaments, standard navigation sensors and built to commercial
standards.
Which of these types a country chooses, depends on its particular naval
requirements, resulting from its geographic location, political aspirations and
intended role of its naval force. However, the majority of OPV programmes
are of the cheaper multi-role variety. These are being used in an increasing
number of roles, including fishery protection, pollution control, fire-fighting,
salvage or search and rescue (SAR), counter-narcotics, humanitarian
operations and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) patrol.
Countries with OPV Programmes:
Argentina
Project PAM (Patrulleros de Alta Mar) is for up to 5 OPVs of 1,800 tons. With
a length of over 80m, the ships are to have diesel propulsion and to be armed
with a 40mm gun. The ships will be built at the Rio Santiago shipyard to the
same Fassmer design as the Chilean boats. Funding for the first of class has
been approved and a construction contract is expected in 2010. Deliveries are
planned for 2013 to 2016.
Australia
A fleet of 20 offshore combatant vessels (OCVs) equipped with modular
mission systems is planned, to incorporate the capabilities presently provided
by the RAN’s separate patrol boat, hydrographic and minehunter fleets.
Bangladesh
Plans to acquire an OPV were announced in 2004

2. Brazil
6 NAPA 500 patrol vessels are on order with the first delivered in 2009 and
the others due for delivery by 2013 A contract for a 3rd batch of ships is
expected in 2010 and an eventual total of 27 is planned.
Canada
On 9th July 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a procurement
programme for up to 8 ice-capable arctic OPVs (AOPVs) with a Polar class 5
classification. The project is estimated to cost CAN$3.1 billion (US$2.45
billion) and the first vessel is due for delivery in 2014. BMT Fleet Technology
was awarded an initial CAN$4.5 million contract for the definition phase of the
contract with STX Canada marine and BAE Systems and will produce a
design to determine the navy’s requirements. Displacing about 3000 tonnes
the 100m A/OPVs must be capable of withstanding sea state 7 and of
operating for up to 4 months in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. The
vessels will have a steel reinforced hull to break through ice of up to 1m thick
and be able to reach a top speed of 20kts, as well as embark a CH-148
Cyclone helicopter. Providing maritime security in the North West passage is
a niche requirement that will be filled with the procurement of a presence OPV
that will likely only be armed with a single 40mm cannon.
Chile
The Chilean Navy’s coast guard was scheduled to commission the second of
four offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) on 27 August 2009. State-owned Chilean
shipbuilder Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada (ASMAR) handed over the
1,728-ton Comandante Toro OPV to the Chilean Navy’s coastguard on the
30th July at the shipyard in Talcahuano. Comandante Toro and its sister ship,
first-of-class Pilot Pardo, have been built to an 80.6 m design from German
company Fassimer under the US$54 million maritime zone patrol vessel
programme. Powered by twin Warsila 12V 26 diesels, the OPVs can reach a
maximum speed of 20 kt and has a range of some 8,600 n miles at 12 kt.
Colombia
An OPVs is being built by COTECMAR for launching in 2010. A second ship
is planned.
Denmark
The Royal Danish Navy (RDN) acquired its first of 2 new Arctic patrol ships in

3. February 2008, the 1720 ton Knud Rasmussen.
Built by Karstensens Skibsvaerft in Skagen, the hull and propulsion system of
the 72m ships were manufactured at the Stoczina Polnolcna shipyard in
Gdansk, part of the Remontowa group, to Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Navy ICE
1A standards. The second ship, Ejnar Mikkelsen, was scheduled to begin
patrolling the coast of Greenland in February 2009. The ships have a simple
surface/air search radar and navigation radar arrangement and can launch a
modified version of the Combat Boat 90E long-range rescue craft, deployed
from the stern. Although armed with just two machine guns for sovereignty
patrolling near Greenland, the Knud Rasmussen-class can move into its
secondary warfighting role by fitting up to four modular containers that contain
the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile, MU90 torpedo or a 76mm gun.
Ecuador
Plans to acquire 1 OPV.
India
India is building 4 Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels, with the first 3 to enter
service in 2010. A second batch of 5 vessels are planned to be funded from
2012 to 2017.
Iraq
The third and fourth Fateh-class (Diciotti) offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for
the Iraqi Navy (IqN) were delivered in a ceremony at Fincantieri’s Muggiano
shipyard in northern Italy on the 16th December 2009. First of class Fateh (PS
702) was built at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso shipyard and handed over on the
15th May. It arrived in Umm Qasr on the 21st June to become the IqN’s
flagship.
The second ship, Nasir (PS 703) was delivered to the IqN in October at
Muggiano. Delivery of Majed and Shimookh has completed the IqN’s patrol
shop acquisition. Fincantieri built the OPV quartet under a EUR80 million
(US$108) million) contract awarded in 2006 that includes crew training and
logistic support. The Fateh design is based on Fincantieri’s single Diciotti-
class OPV for Malta, itself a modification of the Saettia-class OPVs in service
with the Italian Coast Guard. Instead of Diciotti’s helicopter deck, the Iraqi
ships have an open stern ramp for the launch and recovery of a 10 m high-
speed interceptor craft. An enhanced air-conditioning system has been fitted
to cope with the high temperatures in the Persian Gulf. The ships are each
fitted with a pair of Isotta Faschini V1716T2MSD engines that give a top
speed of 23 kt. The design also includes a rigid inflatable boat and crane
positioned amidships, a remotely operated Oto Melar Marlin 30 mm gun and

4. two 12.7 mm machine guns.
Libya
Libya has shown interest in a helicopter-capable 60 m offshore patrol vessel
with greater endurance. The OPV60 design includes a flight-deck aft for light
helicopters in the five-ton class. Boarding and rescue operations can be
carried out with the help of two embarked RHIBs. Onboard facilities also
include a decontamination station. The vessel is planned to be fitted with an
electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) surveillance system and a light gun armament,
and there are options for an expanded systems fit.
Mexico
6 Oaxaca class OPVs are being built, with two already in service and the third
for commissioning in 2010. The fifth and sixth of class are due to launch in
2011.
Netherlands
Damen-owned Schelde Naval Shipbuilding has received a EUR240 million
(US$345 million) contract from the Netherlands’ Defence Materiel
Organisation (DMO) to deliver 4 Patrol Ships (Patrouilleschepen) for the Royal
Netherlands Navy (RNLN).
These vessels are of the Holland-class and are to replace the 6 Karel
Doorman class frigates.
Displacing 3,750 tonnes and measuring 108m in length, the Patrol Ship
concept has been designed to fulfil the RNLN’s operational requirement for a
large, flexible, high-endurance platform to perform constabulary tasks and
maritime security operations in the territorial waters and exclusive economic
zone of the Netherlands, the Netherland Antilles and Aruba. This will include
embargo operations, counter-narcotics and humanitarian missions.
The first 2 vessels will be built by Schelde Naval Shipbuilding at its facility in
Vlissingen. The first ship will be delivered in 2010 and the second will launch
this year. Construction of the second pair will be focused on Damen Shipyard
Galatz in Romania under supervision of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and
delivery is scheduled for 2012.
Visit www.offshorepatrolvessels.com for the full Sector Report.