The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded Naval Group the contract for the preliminary and detailed design of the ocean patrol vessel programme, the company said in a press release.
This award follows on from the signature of the framework agreement on 23 October 2020 for the study, development, production and initial operational maintenance of 10 ocean patrol vessels for the French Navy.
A first contract was awarded to Naval Group by DGA for the design and value analysis on 23 June 2021. The contract for a ship construction monitoring service is expected later.
The ocean patrol vessels programme aims at the renewal of the six high seas patrol vessels (ex-AVISOS A69) based in Brest and Toulon. This is in addition to the public service patrol vessels based in Cherbourg. The mission spectrum of the new units will include:
- support to deterrence
- autonomous situation assessment in areas of sovereignty or interest
- escort
- evacuation of nationals
- protection of national interests in the maritime approaches
This programme is part of an industrial scheme involving collaboration between civil and military entities. Naval Group, as overall project architect, is in charge of the design of these ships. DGA will entrust the construction to all or part of the production shipyards that were awarded the framework agreement for deliveries between 2025 and 2029.
JH
