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

At the Euronaval 2024 exhibit in Paris, the DGA showcased the brand-new generation of overseas patrol vessels (Patrouilleur Hauturier, PH), previously known as PO (ocean patrol vessels), for the French Navy. The brand-new OPVs are created to execute objectives presently executed by the 6 aging D’Estienne d’Orves/ A69 kind (previously light frigates and afterwards reclassed as patrol vessels) high-seas patrol vessels (PHM) based in Brest and Toulon in addition to the 3 Flamant-class (OPV 54) civil service patrol watercrafts (PSP) in Cherbourg: assistance for prevention, maritime safety, emptying, security, companion and treatment within the structure of State activity mixed-up and implementation in France’s locations of passion. To execute this variety of objectives, the brand-new ships will certainly have bigger dimension and remarkable functional capacities contrasted to the vessels they change, owing to their innovative devices and style functions.

The Patrouilleurs Hauturiers Program

On November 17, 2023, the DGA ordered the first seven (7) vessels with the objective to restore the maritime security and treatment vessel part of the French Navy. The brand-new multi-mission battle patrol vessels, created by Naval Team, will certainly be produced collaboratively by PIRIOU, CMN, and SOCARENAM under the task administration of DGA. Naval Team is guaranteeing, in support of the DGA, the tracking of the building and construction of the patrol vessels. Initial style started in October 2020, with thorough style finished by October 2023. Building and construction of the very first ship started on Might 22, 2024 at PIRIOU’s Concarneau shipyard, with distribution prepared for by late 2026 and entrance right into solution in 2027. The last ship in this set is set up for distribution in 2030, and an extra order for 3 even more vessels is anticipated in the coming years according to the 2024-2030 army programs regulation.

All vessels are slated to get in solution by 2035 and will certainly be called in honor of males and females that identified themselves throughout WWII besides one that will certainly birth the name of the Île de Sein, the neighborhood that sent out every one of her guys to eliminate under the flag of Free France, ending up being the instance and sign of all Brittany and was granted the high honour of the Order of the Freedom.

Technical Qualities

With a variation of around 2,400 tonnes and a size of 92 meters, the brand-new functional, multi-mission second-tier ships will certainly be a lot bigger (and a lot more qualified) contrasted to previous generation vessels. They will certainly have the ability to accomplish an optimum rate of over 21 knots and an endurance of regarding 6,000 nm with their diesel-electric propulsion or thirty day of sea procedures. The size is 14.2 meters and the draft 3.6 m. They will certainly suit 84 individuals (team and travelers). The brand-new system life time is shown in 35 years with an asked for schedule of 140 days mixed-up each year (intending to 220) and complete schedule of 300 days each year.

For the devices of the PHs, Naval Team established and provided the SETIS-C battle administration system (CMS) and the SHIPMASTER surface area ship automated running system that guarantees the control and tracking of system installments (the electric plant and accessories) and running support group (sharp and security systems). Exail supplies a comprehensive suite of navigation hardware, consisting of Phins Inertial Navigating Solution (INS) and Netans Information Circulation Devices (DDU). Thales supplies the NS54 4D AESA multi-function X-band marine radar that furnishes the twelve (12) new generation MCMVs for the Netherlands and Belgium, the Recognition Buddy or Adversary (IFF) TSA 3522 interrogator and BLUEWATCHER hull-mounted finder (HMS).

These services will certainly allow overseas patrol vessels to execute their functional objectives by giving energetic and easy security versus undersea risks, airborne surface area security, fire control and recognition. The finder is uncommon on a patrol vessel however is anticipated to be presented because of undersea danger boosting around French waters, the security of SSBN procedures (the OPVs will certainly be sent off in advance of the submarines as they leave port to offer knowledge and prevention and function as precursor vessels), and dual-use procedures.

Devices and Setup

Concerning the arrangement of the ship, straight over the ship’s bridge is the incorporated pole, which houses the NS54 radar in a dome at its top. Flanking this are 2 navigation/surveillance radars (likely from Wartsila and Terma), atmospheric sensing units, 2 security electronic cameras, and interaction antennas. Placed straight ahead, on a devoted base, is a VIGY 4 light-weight and scenic maintained marine day/night monitoring system from Safran, while around the pole are SATCOM domes and numerous interaction antennas.

Around the ship’s scenic bridge are 3 of the 4 round antennas, incorporated right into the ship’s superstructure, of the HYDRA counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS) from CERBAIR (the 4th antenna lies over the garage dealing with aft), in addition to 12.7 mm hefty gatling gun and life-saving devices. Over the garage on the port side, a 7.62 mm general-purpose gatling gun is placed, with area assigned on the raised deck over the garage door for a short-range anti-aircraft system installment. This place, placed behind firefighting devices and a short-range electro-optical sensing unit, is booked for a “suitabled for however not with” MBDA SIMBAD with MISTRAL 3 SAM. Near the huge garage door, the Helicopter Visual Touchdown Help Solution (HVLAS) of Glamox is mounted, consisting of the HIGPI 1228 LED Slide Course Sign.

On the starboard side, a big crane is placed to sustain the implementation of a tiny RHIB or various other functional jobs. Each side of the vessel houses a big RHIB with its very own launch and recuperation system. The tiny RHIB is perhaps the 7-metre Zodiac Hurricane EDO NG while the huge ones are the 9.30-metre Zodiac ECUME. The garage can suit one Airbus Helicopters H160M helicopter and a Jet VSR700 UAS. The brand-new OPVs will certainly likewise have a retention space and the ability to to get started a solitary TEU criterion container for multi-purpose procedures.

The PH’s primary weaponry will certainly be the Thales/KNDS RapidFire 40mm gun system mounted on an increased deck at the bow, a tool system that likewise furnishes the brand-new Jacques Chevallier-class fleet replenishment vessels ( BRF). The system includes an incorporated fire control system consisting of the driver console in the CIC, supplying anti-surface and substantial anti-air capacities especially with the wise Anti Aerial Airburst (A3B) artilleries.

The blog post French Navy’s New OPV (Patrouilleur Hauturier) Showcased at Euronaval 2024 showed up initially on Naval News.