Israel Shipyards starts construction of first African OPV-45 patrol vessels
According to a report on the Africa Intelligence website, the vessels were commissioned by the Ivory Coast
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 27/12/2020
The OPV-45. Photo: Israel Shipyards
Israel Shipyards announced last week that it has started construction of the first of two OPV-45 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) which according to a report on Africa Intelligence website were commissioned by the Ivory Coast. The company said that the two vessels would be delivered to the customer within the next two years.
The Janes website noted that Israel Shipyards did not identify the customer when it announced the order in July, although the company suggested it was a navy operating in the Gulf of Guinea when it said the vessels were designed to provide "protection against the increasing threat of piracy in the region".
The OPV-45 displaces 300 tons, reaches a maximum speed of 24 knots, and has an operational range of 3,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. It has a crew of up to 20, with space for an additional 20 troops. Two 20 ft shipping containers can be loaded onto the ship with a deck-based crane, and a 7 meter-long rigid-hull inflatable boat can be launched from a stern ramp. Israel Shipyards has said the two African OPV-45s will be equipped with Israeli-made day/night observation systems and stabilized weapons to maximize their effectiveness during missions.
According to a report on the Africa Intelligence website, the vessels were commissioned by the Ivory Coast
The OPV-45. Photo: Israel Shipyards
Israel Shipyards announced last week that it has started construction of the first of two OPV-45 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) which according to a report on Africa Intelligence website were commissioned by the Ivory Coast. The company said that the two vessels would be delivered to the customer within the next two years.
The Janes website noted that Israel Shipyards did not identify the customer when it announced the order in July, although the company suggested it was a navy operating in the Gulf of Guinea when it said the vessels were designed to provide "protection against the increasing threat of piracy in the region".
The OPV-45 displaces 300 tons, reaches a maximum speed of 24 knots, and has an operational range of 3,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. It has a crew of up to 20, with space for an additional 20 troops. Two 20 ft shipping containers can be loaded onto the ship with a deck-based crane, and a 7 meter-long rigid-hull inflatable boat can be launched from a stern ramp. Israel Shipyards has said the two African OPV-45s will be equipped with Israeli-made day/night observation systems and stabilized weapons to maximize their effectiveness during missions.
