The French Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded local shipbuilder Socarenam a contract for the construction of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) in a series.
The vessels will be operated by the French Navy out of the overseas territories of New Caledonia, La Reunion, French Polynesia, and a yet unnamed fourth location.
Delivery of the OPVs will take place between 2022 and 2025. Each vessel will have a length of approximately 70 metres, a draught no greater than 3.8 metres, and maximum speeds in excess of 22 knots.
The MOD has stated that the vessels will also be used in fisheries protection.