Article Posted on : - Sep 08, 2011

The Gowind-class OPV. A DCNS photo

PARIS/CAPE TOWN (BNS): French shipbuilder DCNS and South African naval firm KND have entered into a partnership to jointly build, market, and sell offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) in South Africa.

Leveraging on the experience of building the Gowind-class OPV by DCNS, the two naval firms will promote, build and sell similar class of vessels, first in South Africa and subsequently in other sub-Saharan African nations.

The MoU was inked following visits by DCNS and KND to each other’s facilities, the French firm said.

“We are very happy with the partnership agreement and are very positive that the DCNS OPV is the most suitable solution for Naval applications within Africa,” said James Fisher, CEO of KND.

“This MoU reflects DCNS’s commitment to long-term partnership with KND in order to meet the requirements of the South African Navy as closely as possible,” said Pierre Legros, SVP Surface Ships & Naval Systems, DCNS.

DCNS had launched the first Gowind-class OPV for the French Navy in May this year.

The 87-meter long vessel, named L’Adroit, has a range of 8,000 nautical miles, a top speed of 21 knots and an at-sea endurance of three weeks. The vessel has a helicopter flight deck and can also accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.

It has been designed for a wide range of government missions.

DCNS plans to build and market the new class of OPVs for international customers.

According to the company, the OPVs will offer the users up-to-date assets for current and emerging missions from area surveillance to anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, fisheries policing, drug interdiction, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue at sea, and maritime safety and security.