The Senegalese Navy acquires an offshore patrol vessel while the Hellenic Coast Guard taps a Finnish manufacturer for new boats. In Australia, a new corvette class is being proposed for local manufacture while a partnership unveils a tactical watercraft for littoral operations.
Senegalese Navy takes delivery of second patrol vessel in series
The Senegalese Navy has taken delivery of the second in a series of three offshore patrol vessels built by French shipyard Piriou.
Niani measures 62.2 by 9.5 metres and will be capable of launching and deploying two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). Armament includes anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, a 76mm naval gun, two 20mm autocannons, and two 12.7mm machine guns.
Accommodations will be available for 24 crewmembers and 24 other personnel.
Australian firms propose new corvette class
Austal Australia, Civmec, and Navantia Australia have formed a partnership with the aim of proposing a new class of six corvettes to the Australian government.
The three companies have been collaborating to develop a detailed proposal since November 2022. The proposal was first presented to the government in response to the 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) and the independent analysis of the Royal Australian Navy's surface combatant fleet.
The three companies are updating and expanding the proposal, now named the Tasman-class corvette.
Austal said the ships would be constructed entirely in Henderson, Western Australia, with production able to start rapidly as work on the design is well advanced and based on an operational reference vessel.
Australian partnership to develop strike/reconnaissance watercraft
A partnership formed by Australian boatbuilder The Whiskey Project Group and defence technology company Rafael Australia recently unveiled a new type of watercraft designed for strike and reconnaissance missions.
The 11.9-metre craft can be configured to accommodate weapons such as eight Spike electro-optical guided missiles in twin four-round launchers. Space will also be available for six fully equipped troops in addition to two crewmembers.
In the strike role, the vessel can operate in littoral waters and be used against both land and maritime targets.
Finnish builder secures Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessel order
Finnish boatbuilder Marine Alutech has been awarded a contract for the supply of five high-speed patrol vessels to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Each vessel will have a LOA of 19.5 metres, a beam of 5.1 metres, and a top speed of over 50 knots.
The contract also includes an option for an additional five vessels. If all the options are exercised, the contract will have a total value of approximately €34 million (US$36.9 million).
