The French Navy recently took delivery of the first in a new class of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) belonging to the Patrouilleur d'Outre-Mer (POM) class built by local shipyard Socarenam. The POM-class will replace the older P400-class patrol boats as the navy's main forward-deployed vessels in France's overseas territories.
Named after a New Caledonia-born, Free French naval infantryman who was decorated for his actions in World War II, POM-class lead ship Auguste Benebig will be operated out of New Caledonia. Its missions will include maritime patrol, marine environmental protection, fisheries enforcement, counter-narcotics trafficking, and search and rescue (SAR).
The vessel has a length of 80 metres, a beam of 11.8 metres, a draught of 3.5 metres, a displacement of 1,300 tonnes, and space for 30 crewmembers and up to 29 additional personnel. The hybrid electric propulsion system can deliver a maximum speed of 24 knots and a range of 5,500 nautical miles. Operations are possible even in extreme heat, making the vessel suitable for the waters in and around some of France's overseas island territories.
The POM-class vessels lack missile armament due to the less demanding nature of their maritime security missions. Weaponry is therefore limited to two 7.62mm machine guns, two 12.7mm machine guns, and a 20mm autocannon on a Nexter Narwhal remotely controlled mount at the bow. Hensoldt supplied the vessel's Nexeya combat management system as well as the surveillance radars.
To augment the vessel's surveillance and patrol coverage, it can embark a 2.6-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) for at-sea interceptions and boardings and a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Also fitted are a launching catapult and a recovery net for use with the UAV and rescue boat davits from Vestdavit.
| Auguste Benebig | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Patrol vessel |
| Flag: | France |
| Owner: | French Navy |
| Builder: | Socarenam, France |
| Length overall: | 80 metres |
| Beam: | 11.8 metres |
| Draught: | 3.5 metres |
| Displacement: | 1,300 tonnes |
| Maximum speed: | 24 knots |
| Range: | 5,500 nautical miles |
| Radars: | Hensoldt |
| Other electronics: | Hensoldt Nexeya combat management system |
| Other deck equipment: | Vestdavit |
| Armaments: | 2 x 7.62mm machine guns; 2 x 12.7mm machine guns; 20mm autocannon; Nexter Narwhal remotely controlled mount |
| Other equipment installed: | UAV launch catapult; UAV recovery net |
| Crew: | 30 |
| Passengers: | 29 |
| Operational area: | New Caledonia |