French Navy’s first POM-class patrol vessel hits the water

Brittany-based shipbuilder Socarenam has floated out the future Auguste Benebig, the first in a new class of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) being built for the French Navy.

The newbuilding is the first in the navy's Overseas Patroller (Patrouilleur d'Outre-Mer; POM) class. These 80-metre-long ships will replace the navy's older P400-class patrol boats based at France's overseas territories.

Secondary missions will include maritime pollution response and search and rescue.

The future Auguste Benebig is scheduled for delivery to the navy in 2022. It will be commissioned into service the following year and will operate out of New Caledonia.

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