Argentina are in a similar position to NZ, with a large maritime area of responsibility and needing to operate in Antarctic waters. Their solution was to purchase four Kership 90m OPVs. The first ship is the ex-French
L'Adroit and the other three are new builds. The new builds are ice strengthened to operate in the southern ocean and be able to support bases in Antarctica. These are interesting vessels with a helicopter deck and hangar, small crew (40 + extra berthing for 30), long endurance (30 days and 7000nm) and two 9m RHIBS launched from rear ramps.
The total cost of the project is 318M euros (approx. NZ$533M for the four vessels).
The vessels are electronically advanced, but lightly armed. Their main armament is a Marlin 30mm gun. I think a good option for greater firepower would be the new ultra lightweight, non-deck penetrating 76mm Sovraponte (which I posted about
here).
Paris, 14 January 2019 – Following the enactment of the contract with Argentina, Naval Group has started off work on
www.edrmagazine.eu
Ships dedicated to state action at sea
www.kership.com