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Fast Patrol Vessels
The Maritime
Surveillance Swiss-knife
The drift of maritime surveillance requirements towards multirole platforms able to
conduct military, homeland security and search-and-rescue missions, has caused the
traditional Cold War inherited fast attack and heavily armed types built by the
hundreds for military duties to give way to smaller and faster patrol boat designs.
Luca Peruzzi
W
hile in the past, the Northern
European and America were
the most prolific builders of
these platforms together with
European shipyards, the latter and the restof-the-world are now gaining momentum.
French shipyards are the most active, with
CMN (Construction Mécaniques de
Normandie) known not only for its
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Combattante family of fast attack craft, with
more than 90 units built and the object of
continuous improvements, but also for its
range of Vigilante family of constabulary
patrol vessels and the three new-generation
43-metre maritime surveillance trimarans
under construction for Mozambique (under
a large contract assigned in 2013 which also
includes six patrol vessels). A collaboration
between CMN and naval architect Nigel
Irens, the Ocean Eagle 43 is a compact
multirole trimaran offering a unique
performance-to-cost ratio and a top speed of
30 knots. It has a crew of seven plus an eightman boarding team while the combat system
includes one 20/30 and two 12.7 mm
remotely controlled guns plus a multi-sensor
and combat management system.
Ocea offers a complete range of customised
small-and medium sized aluminium hulled
platforms from 12 to 85 metres with speeds
of 20 to 55 knots amongst which are the 24metre FPB 72 and 32-metre FPB 98. The
latter is capable of 35 knots under Caterpillar
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Ocea boat builder offers a wide
range of small-and medium-sized
aluminium platforms, including
the 24-metre and 30-knot capable
FPB 72 Mk 2 here seen in
Suriname Coast Guard livery.
(Bernard Prezelin)
Raidco Marine’s latest doublechine deep-V hull design, the RPB
33 is built by Ufast shipyard.
Capable of 40 knots, its notable
feature is a 360° panoramic
surveillance bridge. (Jacques
Pradignac et Leo)
The Italian’s Custom Services, known as the
Guardia di Finanza, has two new large patrol
vessels based on the Damen shipbuilding
group’s 58-metre Stan Patrol 5509 design.
Assembled at the Italian Cantiere Navale
Vittoria acting as prime contractor, it is
equipped with a combat system designed by
Almaviva. (Cantiere Navale Vittoria)
diesel engine power and waterjets, and is
armed with a remotely controlled 30 mm
DS30B Mk 2 gun mount, which has been sold
to Algeria, Benin and Senegal.
Raidco Marine also offers a portfolio of
patrol boats that includes the 12- to 36metre double-chine deep-V RPB range,
which now includes the latest RPB 33 built by
Ufast shipyard for Raidco Marine. This
model was delivered to Togo and Senegal in
2013 and ordered by Ivory Coast while the
20-metre RPB 20 model was ordered by
Libya in 2014. Equipped with two 1,958 hp
diesel engines and offered with either
waterjets or propellers yielding a maximum
speed of 33 knots, a notable feature of the
RPB 33 is a 360° surveillance panoramic
bridge. Weapon options include one 20 mm
gun and two 12.7 mm, in addition to a
launch and recovery stern ramp for a 6.15metre rigid hull inflatable.
The Netherlands’ Damen Naval
Shipbuilding group is offering a range of
security and patrol vessels ranging from
seven to more than 200 metres in length,
including interceptors and patrol platforms.
Damen platforms incorporate the results of
both ‘Enlarged Ship’ and ‘Axe Bow’ concepts,
respectively improving the sea-keeping
characteristics of high-speed vessels and
enhancing platform operability, comfort and
crew safety, in addition to reducing fuel
consumption. This design allowed Bollinger
shipyard in America to win the US Coast
Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter
platform in September 2008.
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Fast Patrol Vessels
US Coast Guard’s Sentinel class fast response cutters are based on a
design largely derived from the Dutch Damen Stan 4708 patrol vessel and
built by Bollinger shipyard in America. Originally a design for the South
African Government, the 353-tonne and 47 metre cutter now has a higher
maximum speed, a stern launching ramp, fixed pitch propellers, and
water tight bulkheads. (US Coast Guard)
With a design largely based on the Stan
4708 patrol vessels already employed by the
South African Government, the 353-tonne
and 47-meter long cutter is manned by a crew
of 22 and is armed with a remote-control 25
mm Bushmaster gun and four 12.7 mm
machine guns. The Stan Patrol platforms
family ranges from the 60-metre Stan Patrol
6011 capable of 26.5 knots to the 125-metre
Stan Patrol 1204 with a maximum speed of
35 knots. Between them are seven platforms,
such as the 58-metre Stan Patrol 5509 which
forms the basis of the Italian Custom
Services’two main patrol vessels, built and
integrated in Italy by Cantiere Navale Vittoria
and equipped with a combat system designed
by Italian company’s Almaviva.
In addition to luxury yachts, Lürssen is
known worldwide for its high-speed craft
and history as combatant vessels provider to a
range of main and less known navies and
governmental services. The current product
portfolio ranges from the 28-metre FPB 28
with a maximum speed of 35 knots to the
FPB 57 combatant fast craft capable of 38
knots and the 35-metre TNC 35 with stern
launching ramp and an armament package
that includes a 20/30 main gun. Lurssen has
been reported to be involved in discussions
on the delivery of a fleet of patrol vessels to
Saudi Arabia, although there is no official
confirmation of this.
Fassmer is also offering a 21-metre fast
patrol boat, which has been sold to three
customers including the Cambodian Navy
and the Bulgarian Coast Guard. Swede Ship is
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known for its family of multi-role high-speed
vessels, which range from 16 to 27 metres in
length. The latter, known as the Patrol 27
model, has been acquired by United Arab
Emirates Naval Forces through Abu Dhabi
Ship Building (ADSB) and being built both
by the Swede Ship and ADSB shipyard. As a
multi-role compact high-speed vessel for
medium range surveillance and weapon
engagement of asymmetric threats in a
flotilla configuration, the Emirati’s naval
forces Ghannatha II patrol boat programme
involves twelve vessels equipped by two 2,432
hp MTU diesel engines and Rolls-Royce
FF600 waterjets allowing a 45-knot
maximum speed. These boats are equipped
with Rheinmetall 27 mm MLG 27 and Oto
Melara Hitrole-G with GAU-19A triple 12.7
mm guns, together with four MBDA Marte
Mk 2/N antiship missiles—all managed by a
small combat management system built by
Selex ES. The sensors suite includes GEM
Elettronica radar, Selex ES IFF and a Cprotection unit. In addition to the Ghannatha
phase II programme, the UAE Naval Force’s
Phase I, 24-metre transport vessels are being
upgraded with the same combat electronics
suite but different weapon systems package.
The United Arab Emirates’ Ghannata Phase I fast patrol boats are based on a 24-metre
transport vessel designed by Swede Ship Marine. (Luca Peruzzi)
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Fast Patrol Vessels
Italy’s Intermarine shipyard is building fast
patrol boats for the Italian Custom Service in
fibre-reinforced plastic. Designed to operate
at high speeds even in rough seas, they can
be fitted with a variety of engines propulsion
systems. (Italian Customs Service)
I MEDITERRANEAN
The Mediterranean basin main shipyards
have been heavily involved in the
construction of fast patrol vessel in the past,
but today only a few are specialised sites or
maintained such capability.
Aresa International in Spain is delivering a
range of patrol craft to the Cameroon navy,
including two new 24-metre 2400 CPV
Defenders and two 32-metre Aresa 3200
OPVs, both equipped with a fast intervention
inflatable. The 32-crew 2400 CPV Defender
can be equipped with two-2,800 hp engines
driving propellers or two-4,800 hp-plus
waterjet powerpacks delivering a maximum
speed of 30 knots, and an armament suite of
one 20 mm and two 12.7mm remotely
controlled guns. The 32-metre, 32 crew 3200
CPV patrol craft is also available with
propeller and waterjets propulsion options,
the latter yielding a maximum speed of 25
knots. Roadman Polyships, for its part, has a
range of glass-reinforced plastic, fast patrol
boats ranging from 10 (Roadman 33) to 44
metres (Roadman 145) that have been
exported almost throughout the world.
Italy’s Intermarine shipyard near La Spezia
is specialised in all-composite material craft
and mine countermeasures vessels, and
delivers to navies, coast guards and customs
services worldwide. A customs service is for
example receiving both 28 (Bigliani class) and
22-metre (Buratti class) fibre-reinforced
plastic fast patrol boats designed to operate at
high speed even in rough seas. They can be
fitted with different engines and propulsion
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systems (propellers or waterjets). With a
respective displacement of 100 and 56 tonnes,
these craft are being used for law enforcement
duties and patrol missions and can hit 40-45
and 30 knots respectively, depending on the
propulsion configuration. The combat suite
is based on GEM Elettronica/Almaviva
command, control and navigation suite, and
Rhode & Schwarz communications. The
armament is respectively based on a single
Oto Melara 30 or 12.7 mm guns.
Cantiere Navale Vittoria shipyard near
Rovigo on the Adriatic Coast is providing 12
patrol boats to the Tunisian Navy and
National Guard under a security assistance
package funded by the Italian Government.
These belong respectively to the 27-metre
and 90-tonne P270 and 35-metre and 140tonne P350 models of aluminium craft,
which in different versions have been sold to
national and Mediterranean customers,
including Libya, Croatia, Slovenia, Tunisia
and Romania. The P270 has a crew of 14 and a
water propulsion system comprising a
centreline Kamewa Rolls-Royce 40A3 and
two Kamewa Rolls-Royce 50A3, each driven
by a MTU 12V2000M84 engine, while the
P350 is powered by two MTU 16V4000M93
and Rolls-Royce 63S3 waterjets, for a
maximum speed of respectively 35 and 38
knots. Both types are fitted with a command,
control and communications, and navigation
system boasting Simrad and Furuno radars, a
mast-mounted optronic sensor and satcoms,
all integrated by Italian AlmavivA group.
Armament can include a 20-30 mm main
gun. Also on the Adriatic coast, the AdriaMar shipbuilding group is marketing a family
of 31-metre PV30-LS and other patrol crafts.
Turkey’s Yonka Onuk and Ares are
specialised in patrol craft. The former
supplies a range of products worldwide, from
the 15-metre Fast Intervention Craft MRTP to
the 34-metre patrol/attack craft MRTP. The
latter has been ordered together with the
smaller 16-metre MRTP by the Royal Qatari
Navy in 2012 with deliveries starting late that
year. The MRTP-34 is based on the one-
Italy’s Cantiere Navale Vittoria shipyard is offering both the
27-metre and 90-tonne P270 and 35-metre and 140 tonne P350
aluminium craft, versions of which have been sold to national
and international customers, including Croatia, Libya,
Romania, Slovenia and Tunisia. Here seen is the Tunisian Navy
version of the P 350. (Cantiere Navale Vittoria)
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The Turkish Yonka Onuk shipyard has a range of
products that starts from MRTP Fast Intervention Craft
to 34-metre MRTP 3 patrol/attack craft. This one is
armed with a main gun, eight anti-ship and two light
surface-surface missile launchers, in addition to two
12.7 mm remotely controlled guns. (Luca Peruzzi)
metre shorter MRTP-33 model already
delivered to the Turkish Coast Guard and
other international customers, and is based
on the proprietary ‘OE-01’ deep V hull
design, which enables, depending on engine
selection and boat configuration, to reach
speeds over 50 knots in calm waters and up
to 30 knots in sea state 4. The 38-metre
MRTP 34 high-speed propulsion system
consists of two MTU 16V2000M90 diesels
and a Honeywell TF50 gas turbine, all driving
MJP waterjets. The diesels allow 28 knots
speed, while the gas turbine engagement
enables to reach its maximum speed. The
Yonka Onuk can accommodate a choice of
armament that includes a Bofors Mk4 40 mm
or an Aselsan Stop stabilised turret, mediumrange anti-ship missiles, short-range air
defence missiles launcher and two Aselsan
Stamp stabilised turrets with 12.7 mm gun.
Electronics include a 2D radar, electrooptical director, search and rescue or special
forces support equipment, and selfprotection decoys.
In 2013 Ares shipyard signed an
agreement covering the delivery of 17 patrol
boats to the Qatari Coast Guard to be
designed by the British BMT Group and built
in advanced composite materials. The
package includes five 23-metre Ares 75
Hercules with a maximum speed of 52 knots,
ten 33-metre Ares 110 Hercules capable of 47
knots and two of 46-metre, 40-knot Ares 150
Hercules. The programme will run over five
years with the first vessel on sea trails early in
2016. Ares is also active in other regions in
the Middle East, such as in Bahrain, where it is
to deliver 16-metre patrol boat.
Israel’s need to protect its coastline and
offshore oil and gas installations led to the
development of fast patrol vessels with
combat capabilities. Israel Aerospace
Industries (IAI) and Israel Shipyards have a
long experience of combat-proven craft
respectively represented by the Super Dvora
and Shaldag family of craft. The 25-metre,
50-tonne Super Dvora in its latest Mk3
iteration has a state of the art propulsion
system with articulating surface drive (ASD)
claiming higher overall speeds, quicker
acceleration and a better power-to-weight
ratio. Capable to reach 45 knots at normal
load, the 14-crew Super Dovra Mk3 in
service with Israel is equipped with a selfprotection system against shore-based
threats and can be armed with remotely
controlled and optronic-slaved 23/25/30 mm
Already ordered or built for Cyprus, Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Nigeria, Romania
and Sri Lanka, Israel Shipyard’s Shaldag Mk V fast patrol boat is being built
locally for Azerbaijan naval forces. With a 32.65-metre long and a 6.2-metre
beam deep-vee hull, the Mk V version is powered by two MTU 16V2000 allowing
for a dash speed of over 40 knots (Israel Shipyard)
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Fast Patrol Vessels
In addition to ten 37-metre and 29-knot
capable patrol boats for Yemen and Kuwait,
Austal supplied six 30-metre aluminium fast
patrol craft to Trinidad and Tobago Coast
Guard in 2009-10. (Austal)
Chinese shipyards are active in this sector. CSTC has a large portfolio of products that range
from 20-metre to 250-tonne patrol craft and fast attack platforms. China Shipbuilding and
Offshore International Company are even working on stealth attack vessels. (Luca Peruzzi)
guns, typically a stabilised 25 mm Rafael
Typhoon which can also receive a twin SpikeER missile launcher, a manually operated 20
mm and two 7.62 mm machine guns. A
Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Bridge
Master navigation suite and a mast-mounted
electro-optical turret (either El-Op MSIS or
IAI Taman POP300) form the sensor suite.
In 2013 Israel Shipyards won major orders,
today identified to be from Azerbaijan, to
provide local building support for six 62metre offshore patrol vessels and a same
number of latest generation fast patrol craft
for the local Coast Guard and Navy. Already
ordered or built to date for Cyprus, Equatorial
Guinea, Israel, Nigeria, Romania and Sri
Lanka, the Shaldag Mk V differs from the
early versions from a larger superstructure
and a closed bridge. With a 32.65 metre length
and a 6.2 metre beam deep-vee hull, the Mk
V version is powered by two MTU 16V2000
diesels driving MJP or KaMeWa waterjets,
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allowing for a dash speed of 40 knots and a
maximum sustained speed of 35 knots. Sea
state 4–capable and with a crew of 10 to 14
members, the aluminium craft can be
equipped with a combat suite including a
remotely controlled 23/25 mm Rafael
Typhoon stabilised gun, two 12.7/7.62 mm
Mini-Typhoon gun systems, four 12.7 mm or
7.62 mm machine guns plus one 20/23 mm
gun and four to eight short-range missiles.
Sensors include a surface search radar and
either a Rafael Toplite or an IAI POP.
In addition to the national market, which
mainly boils down to the Coast Guard, US
shipyards have found opportunities with
foreign military sales packages. Through
these, Swiftships has delivered twelve 35metre aluminium boats to the Iraqi navy.
This model is equipped with three engines
rated at 2,450 hp powering either and
propellers or waterjets to provide a max
speed of 30 knots. Crewed by 12, the boat is
armed with one 30 mm MSI Defense System
or an Oto Melara remotely operated gun, two
12.7 and two 7.62 mm guns.
Specialised in aluminium-made vessels
for frontline and support duties, Australian
Austal also produces a range of monohull
design patrol crafts. In addition to ten 37metre and 29-knot capable patrol boats for
Yemen, and previously others for Kuwait,
Austal supplied six 30-metre aluminium fast
patrol craft for the Trinidad and Tobago
Coast Guard in 2009-10. These are versatile
platforms for sustained surveillance in the
archipelago territorial sea, equipped with two
2.215 hp MTU 16V2000 M92 engines and
Rolls-Royce Kamewa SIII waterjets pushing
the boat at more than 40 knots. Armed with a
20 mm gun and two general purpose guns,
these boats can accommodate 12 crew
members and are provided with a tender for
search and rescue duties. Austal has also won
an international tender to provide four 21.2metre inshore boats for Malta’s Armed Forces
in 2009. Equipped with two 1.209 hp MAN
D2842 LE410 diesel engines driving fixed
pitch propellers 26+ knots-capable boats are
equipped with a stern launching ramp for a
rigid hull inflatable, two 7.62 mm machine
guns and a 12.7 mm gun.
From the Middle East to Asia and Pacific
Rim, there are a number of shipyards active in
this sector, including Abu Dhabi Ship
Building (ADSB) and Etihad Ship Building
(the joint-venture between Fincantieri) and
Al Fattan Ship Industry in the UAE that
specialises in aluminium fast patrol boats.
Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works for
its part supplies 39-metre, 250-tonne multipurpose auxiliary craft. Among Indian
shipyards, mention has to be made of Garden
Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers’ Car
Nicobar-class 49-metre fast patrol boat and
of Larsen & Toubro’s 46-metre fast patrol
vessel design, while Indonesian PT Palindo
Marine delivered a range of patrol boats to
the local Navy. Chinese shipyards are also
active in this sector, including CSTC with a
large product portfolio ranging from 20 to 46
metre inshore patrol craft to the 250-tonne
patrol craft here illustrated. China
Shipbuilding and Offshore International
Company (CSOIC) has several projects
amongst which are stealth attack vessels.
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