BY AKUDORO GLORIA
Dearsan Shipyard, a Turkish firm, on Wednesday announced the successful completion of the initial sea trial of the second of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) constructed for the Nigerian Navy.
The delivery of these state-of-the-art marks a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security and enhancing its naval capabilities.
The OPV-76 class vessels are part of a $160 million contract signed in November 2021 with both deliveries scheduled for this year, 2025.
Construction of the vessels started in September 2022, with the first ship launched in October 2023, followed by the second in April 2024.
An initial payment of $35 million was made in June 2022, according to reports.
The 76.8 meter long OPV-76, is designed to perform a range of missions including anti-air warfare, maritime interdiction, anti-surface warfare and special forces operations. It is also equipped for peacetime mission such as anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking.
The vessel boost advanced combat capabilities, featuring 76 mm Leonardo Super Rapid Gun, a 40 mm Leonardo Light Naval Gun, two 12.7 mm stabilized Automatic Machine Guns, and four Mistral SIMBAD RC anti-air self defense systems.
In addition, the vessel is equipped with a combat management system, air and surface surveillance 3D radar, electronic support measures and a tactical data link system.
It features include an identification friend or foe system, a chaff/decoy system and a electro-optical reconnaissance and surveillance system.
The ship, with a displacement of 1,000 tons, has a range of 3,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 28 knots; and can accommodate a crew of 43.