The Nigerian Navy on Friday April 19, 2024 launched the second 76meter High Endurance (HE) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) built in DEARSAN Shipyard Turkey.
The new OPV was launched by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The first OPV built by DEARSAN Shipyard was launched on 26 October 2023 in a ceremony attended by Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle; Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; Charge D’Affair Nigerian Embassy Turkey, Ambassador Zayyad Habu Abdulsalam, and other dignitaries.
According to a statement by Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, “the launch of the 76meter HE – OPV marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding her territorial waters and combating maritime threats.”
Speaking at the event, Vice Admiral Ogalla noted that the construction of the 2 x OPVs commenced in 2022, stating that “DEARSAN Shipyard is constructing 2 OPVs for the NN and the first OPV was launched here on 26 October 2023.
“I am particularly pleased that the milestones on the vessel construction have been met and I hereby appreciate the management of DEARSAN Shipyard for their efforts so far.”
The general specifications of the newly launched OPV are as follows:
- Length – 76.90m
- Width – 11.90m
- Draught – 3.60m
- Speed – 28knots
- Propulsion System – Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD)
- Range – 2500nm
- Endurance – 16 days
- Crew Capacity – 47.
Admiral Ogalla stated that “the construction of the vessel will boost NN fleet renewal efforts for fulfilment of her constitutional mandate and ensure maximum presence at sea to curb illicit acts such as oil theft, piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishery as well as smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons among other crimes in the vast 84,000sqnm of Nigeria’s maritime environment.
“It will also facilitate harnessing the enormous potentials within Nigeria’s maritime domain in support of FG’s Blue Economy initiatives.”
The CNS expressed sincere gratitude to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “for his support towards ensuring the completion of the construction of the OPVs and his commitment to NN fleet renewal aspirations.”
He also extended his appreciation to the Special Guest of Honour the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Tinubu, “for accepting the invitation to perform the age long naval tradition of launching a ship into water for the first time, a role often reserved for female leaders.”
The OPV 76 vessel follows a modular design, offering versatility for a range of maritime operations. In peacetime, it will be deployed for offshore patrol duties, ensuring maritime security and surveillance. However, the vessel’s design also allows it to be swiftly equipped with sensors and weapons, transforming it into a formidable force for warfare and maritime defense purposes. This adaptability is achieved at a cost-effective price, a crucial factor for the Nigerian Navy.
The OPV 76 vessels have been customized to fulfill the specific needs of the Nigerian Navy. They were designed and built entirely at the Dearsan Shipyard in Istanbul. These vessels will be fitted with state-of-the-art systems to ensure optimal performance.
The vessels will expand the capabilities of the Nigerian Navy, enabling operations such as maritime interdiction, surveillance, special forces missions, naval fire support for land forces, search and rescue, anti-piracy operations, anti-smuggling efforts, counter-drug trafficking operations, and disaster relief missions, among others.
The high endurance OPV-76 has an overall length of 76.90 meters, a beam of 11.90 meters and a displacement of 1,100 tons, according to the video released by the company. The vessel will be operated by 47 personnel and have a range of 2500 nautical miles at an economical speed. HE OPV 76 will be able to stay at sea for 16 days. The ship has a flight deck that can house a single helicopter but no hangar.
The main gun of the ship will be the 40-millimetre MARLIN gun of Leonardo and will be armed with the Aselsan’s 30-millimetre SMASH at the stern of the ship. The ship will also be equipped with two Aselsan 12.7 mm RWS STAMP.
The Turkish company HAVELSAN will supply the ADVENT combat management system for the new OPVs, and the operator consoles will be supplied by another Turkish company, YALTES. The sensor suit of the new OPVs consists of the 2D surface search radar from the Italian company GEM Elettronica and the fire control system EO.
In addition, the vessels will be equipped with HAVELSAN ADVENT Combat Management System (CMS), HAVELSAN Ship Data Distribution System (SDDS), two operator consoles manufactured by YALTES (for ADVENT SYS), YALTESIntegrated Platform Management System (IPMS), Italian GEM Elettronica product 2D radar (with surface and air surveillance capability), and GEM Elettronica product electro-optical fire control system.
OPV-76 ships will be fitted with four MAN product diesel engines (18VP185), and it is stated that the vessels can reach a maximum speed of 28 knots.
Constructed in line with the Türk Loydu Ship Classification rules, the hulls of OPV-76s will be made of steel sheets, and marine aluminium (Sealium) will be used in the ship superstructure.
The operational range of the ships is stated as 2.500nm (nautical miles). A contract was signed with HeliPLAT Co.Ltd. for the certification engineering, testing, and HAT/SAT activities of the helicopter platform on the OPV-76 ships.
The high endurance offshore patrol vessels OPV-76s will carry two RHIBs for interdiction operations.
Dearsan will also supply a 57-meter Tuzla patrol boat to Nigeria under the same contract with the OPV 76 boats. The Nigerian Navy will be the fourth user of the 57-meter Patrol Boat after the Turkish Naval Forces, Turkmenistan Navy and Turkmenistan Coast Guard Command.
Although, the Nigerian Navy’s newly acquired Tuzla patrol boat will be fitted with a more reduced armament load out to reflect it’s role as an offshore patrol vessel.
Written with additional reports from Military Africa