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Fast Attack Ensuring Maritime Security
Israel Shipyards is promoting its new Offshore Fast attack craft is not the only asset that navies around the world
Patrol Vessel (OPV) family, the OPV S-45, in are intent on acquiring. Multi mission offshore patrol vessels (OPVs),
the region. The OPV S-45 is being offered as which are capable of a diverse range of tasks such as border & EEZ
a cost-effective solution designed for open surveillance, counter-drugs, piracy, and marine safety, including
sea patrolling and surveillance operations, search and rescue, have become prized possessions as well. It is
as also strategic assets protection. Israel therefore not a surprise that the global offshore patrol vessel market
Shipyards, VP of Marketing Oded Breier, said size, which was US$ 32.6 Billion in 2022, is expected to touch US$ 54.0
Billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.78 per cent during the period.
the company has a strong focus on devel-
oping new technologies and materials that In March, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed contracts with Indian
improve the performance and efficiency of shipyards for the acquisition of eleven Next Generation Offshore
its vessels. The 300 tonne OPV 45s have a Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at a total cost
max speed of approximately 24knots and of about Rs 19,600 crore. As per the contract, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL)
a range of over 3.500 nm at a speed of 12 and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata will
knots. The company’s Family of OPVs, include supply the indigenously designed and developed OPVs for a total
a range of vessels from 45-72m, designed cost of Rs 9,781 crore. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to com-
primarily for coastal protection, drilling rigs, mence in September 2026. The six NGMVs will be delivered in March
and offshore facilities. 2027 by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

The Israeli shipbuilder’s Shaldag Fast Patrol Reports indicate that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) plans to
Craft (FPC) family e.g., SHALDAG MK V and acquire five additional 97-meter offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) from
Shaldag MK II, have earned a reputation Japan as part of its strategy to increase its presence in the South
as proven solutions for interdiction of sea- China Sea. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had
borne terrorism, illegal activities, coastal earlier funded PCG’s first two OPVs through an official development
law enforcement and Exclusive Economic assistance loan of P6.4 billion. It may be recalled that in June last
Zone (EEZ) protection. The Shaldag Family year, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) had
of Fast Patrol Craft (FPC) includes vessels signed a contract with South Korean shipbuilding company Hyundai
ranging in size from 25-33m, providing out- Heavy Industries (HHI) for the purchase of six offshore patrol vessels
standing maneuverability and minimal draft, (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy. In the final stage of the selection pro-
which are designed for coastal protection as cess, HHI was competing with Turkey’s ASFAT which offers to build all
well as rivers and the defense of Exclusive six OPVs in the Philippines. HHI will build all six of the HDP-1500neo
Economic Zones (EEZs). OPV design it has offered to the PN in South Korea. HHI had won a
contract to build two Jose-Rizal missile frigates in 2016, and another
Israel Shipyards is also promoting its Corvette contract to build two corvettes in 2021 for the PN.
family e.g., S-80 – is based on “Reshef” class
vessels with a cutting- edge capabilities that With its first offshore patrol vessel (OPV 1) project belonging to the
will be required in future combat scenarios. Its Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) not going accord-
multi-mission SAAR Corvettes are designed ing to plan, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced in January this
for open sea patrol and surveillance, as well year that the government would provide RM152.6 million to ensure
as protection of maritime sovereignty and that the project is completed this year. The government has taken
offshore facilities and Search and Rescue over the project from Tabung Haji (TH) subsidiary Destini Sdn Bhd.
in 2020..
operations. According to the original proposal, the vessel was to be delivered

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