Tuesday 14 May 2013

Togo, Senegal and Libya order French patrol boats

The navies of Togo, Senegal and Libya have ordered patrol boats from Raidco Marine and will take delivery in the coming months.

Senegal’s 33 metre long RPB 33 offshore patrol vessel will be launched on June 15 and delivered to the Senegalese Navy around August-September, according to the manufacturer. Construction began last year.

The RPB 33 was designed for maritime patrol and dealing with things like terrorism, trafficking, illegal fishing and illegal immigration. A notable feature of the RPB 33 is a panoramic bridge allowing 360 degree surveillance. Weapons options include a 20 mm cannon.

Senegal has apparently also ordered a Raidco 45 metre long offshore patrol vessel, for delivery in September 2014. This will have an endurance of ten days and a range of 2 000 nautical miles. It will be able to launch two small boats. In October 2012 Senegal ordered four FPB 98 Mk I patrol boats from OCEA.

Meanwhile, Togo has ordered two RPB 33s, for delivery in March and July 2014. They will be constructed of glass fibre reinforced composites, with an aluminium superstructure.

Another recent Raidco customer from Africa is Libya, which ordered two Raidco Marine RPB 20 boats, which will be delivered to the Navy on April 26. As part of the deal, Raidco is training 32 Libyan sailors (including four officers) as well as maintenance and other personnel in Lorient. They will remain in France for a month before sailing for Libya.

The RPB 20 series is 20 metres long, has a top speed of 28 knots (thanks to its double-chine deep-V hull) and can launch a small boat.

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