French Navy’s New OPV (Patrouilleur Hauturier) Showcased at Euronaval 2024

At the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, the DGA showcased the new generation of offshore patrol vessels (Patrouilleur Hauturier, PH), previously known as PO (ocean patrol vessels), for the French Navy. The new OPVs are designed to carry out missions currently performed by the six ageing D’Estienne d’Orves/A69 type (formerly light frigates and then reclassed as patrol vessels) high-seas patrol vessels (PHM) based in Brest and Toulon as well as the three Flamant-class (OPV 54) public service patrol boats (PSP) in Cherbourg: support for deterrence, maritime security, evacuation, protection, escort and intervention within the framework of State action at sea and deployment in France’s areas of interest. To carry out this wide range of missions, the new ships will have larger size and superior operational capabilities compared to the vessels they replace, owing to their advanced equipment and design features.

The Patrouilleurs Hauturiers Program

On November 17, 2023, the DGA ordered the first seven (7) vessels with the aim to renew the maritime surveillance and intervention vessel component of the French Navy. The new multi-mission combat patrol vessels, designed by Naval Group, will be manufactured collaboratively by PIRIOU, CMN, and SOCARENAM under the project management of DGA. Naval Group is ensuring, on behalf of the DGA, the monitoring of the construction of the patrol vessels. Preliminary design began in October 2020, with detailed design completed by October 2023. Construction of the first ship commenced on May 22, 2024 at PIRIOU’s Concarneau shipyard, with delivery anticipated by late 2026 and entry into service in 2027. The final ship in this batch is scheduled for delivery in 2030, and an additional order for three more vessels is expected in the coming years in accordance with the 2024-2030 military programming law.

All vessels are slated to enter service by 2035 and will be named in honor of men and women who distinguished themselves during WWII except for one that will bear the name of the Île de Sein, the commune that sent all of her men to fight under the flag of Free France, becoming the example and symbol of all Brittany and was awarded the high honour of the Order of the Liberation.

Technical Characteristics

With a displacement of around 2,400 tonnes and a length of 92 meters, the new versatile, multi-mission second-tier ships will be much larger (and much more capable) compared to previous generation vessels. They will be able to achieve a maximum speed of over 21 knots and an endurance of about 6,000 nm with their diesel-electric propulsion or 30 days of sea operations. The width is 14.2 meters and the draft 3.6m. They will accommodate 84 people (crew and passengers). The new platform lifetime is indicated in 35 years with a requested availability of 140 days at sea per year (aiming to 220) and total availability of 300 days per year.  

For the equipment of the PHs, Naval Group developed and supplied the SETIS-C combat management system (CMS) and the SHIPMASTER surface ship automated operating system that ensures the control and monitoring of platform installations (the electrical plant and auxiliaries) and operating support systems (alert and safety systems). Exail supplies a comprehensive suite of navigation hardware, including Phins Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Netans Data Distribution Units (DDU). Thales provides the NS54 4D AESA multi-function X-band naval radar that equips the twelve (12) new generation MCMVs for the Netherlands and Belgium, the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) TSA 3522 interrogator and BLUEWATCHER hull-mounted sonar (HMS).

These solutions will enable offshore patrol vessels to carry out their operational missions by providing active and passive surveillance against underwater threats, aerial surface surveillance, fire control and identification. The sonar is unusual on a patrol vessel but is expected to be introduced due to underwater threat increasing around French waters, the protection of SSBN operations (the OPVs will be dispatched ahead of the submarines as they leave port to provide intelligence and deterrence and act as scout vessels), and dual-use operations. 

Equipment and Configuration

Regarding the configuration of the ship, directly above the ship’s bridge is the integrated mast, which houses the NS54 radar in a dome at its top. Flanking this are two navigation/surveillance radars (likely from Wartsila and Terma), meteorological sensors, two surveillance cameras, and communication antennas. Positioned directly in front, on a dedicated base, is a VIGY 4 lightweight and panoramic stabilized naval day/night observation system from Safran, while around the mast are SATCOM domes and various communication antennas.

Around the ship’s panoramic bridge are three of the four round antennas, integrated into the ship’s superstructure, of the HYDRA counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS) from CERBAIR (the fourth antenna is located above the hangar facing aft), along with 12.7mm heavy machine guns and life-saving equipment. Above the hangar on the port side, a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun is mounted, with space allocated on the elevated deck over the hangar door for a short-range anti-aircraft system installation. This location, positioned behind firefighting equipment and a short-range electro-optical sensor, is reserved for a “fitted for but not with” MBDA SIMBAD with MISTRAL 3 SAM. Near the large hangar door, the Helicopter Visual Landing Aid Systems (HVLAS) of Glamox is installed, including the HIGPI 1228 LED Glide Path Indicator.

On the starboard side, a large crane is positioned to support the deployment of a small RHIB or other operational tasks. Each side of the vessel houses a large RHIB with its own launch and recovery system. The small RHIB is possibly the 7-metre Zodiac Hurricane EDO NG while the large ones are the 9.30-metre Zodiac ECUME. The hangar can accommodate one Airbus Helicopters H160M helicopter and an Airbus VSR700 UAS. The new OPVs will also have a retention room and the capability to to embark a single TEU standard container for multi-purpose operations.

The PH’s main armament will be the Thales/KNDS RapidFire 40mm gun system installed on a raised deck at the bow, a weapon system that also equips the new Jacques Chevallier-class fleet replenishment tankers (BRF). The system features an integrated fire control system including the operator console in the CIC, offering anti-surface and significant anti-air capabilities specifically with the smart Anti Aerial Airburst (A3B) munitions.

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