The Ivorian navy will be supplied with a second hand P400 offshore patrol vessel from France to protect its maritime territory, says Admiral N’Guessan Kouame Celestin, Ivorian Chief of Staff of the National Navy (CEMMAR).
Admiral Kouame also announced that the forthcoming acquisition of the P400 opv, as well as two OPV-45s and maritime surveillance drones as part of revitalization of the navy.
The P400-class patrol vessels are small patrol boats of the French Navy, designed to accomplish police operations in the French exclusive economic zone (EEZ). They were built by the Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie.
The type displaces 373 tonnes, with 54.8 meters in length. Powered by two diesel SEMT Pielstick 200PAVGDS engines developing 3,700 hp (2,800 kW) each, at 29 knots.
It is armed with a Bofors 40 mm gun, a 20 mm modèle F2 gun, and two AA-52 machine guns.
In France, six Félix Éboué-class POM” (Patrouilleur d’Outre-Mer) offshore patrol vessels will replace the entire P400-class fleet.
The future POM patrol ships will carry out protection missions in France’s exclusive economic zones (EEZ), intervene against maritime pollution and in favor of environmental protection, as well as rescue and assistance to people.
