HIGH - SPEED INTERCEPTORS AND PATROL VESSELS

BY LUCA PERUZZI

The need to control both national and exclusive economic zone waters against a wide range of threats including smuggling, armed pirates and neighbours’ naval forces, and to protect them including offshore and shorebased installations such as oil and gas fields, pipelines and exploration activities, have pushed naval forces and maritime security agencies to acquire a range of high-speed patrol and armed boats that can be quickly deployed to ensure deterrence or to take action in the area of operations. While in the past Northern Europe, UK and US were the most prolific builders of these platforms, together with European continental and southern shipyards, more recently the latter and Israeli players gained momentum.

FRENCH SHIPYARDS, THE MOST ACTIVE

French shipyards are the most active, with the well-known Normandy-based CMN (Construction Mécaniques de Normandie), part of the CMN Naval Group, having today three families of interceptors: HSI 32, DV 15 and WP 18. The 32 meters planing deep-V all-aluminium hull HSI 32 is a popular model with 60+ orders from Mozambique, Angola and Saudi Arabia. CMN is providing 58 units to the latter, of which 31 built in France and the remaining with a technology transfer programme with Saudi group Zamil Offshore Services. With a 32.2 meters length and a 7 meters beam, the latest HSI 32 Mk III model has a 46+ knots maximum speed and a range of 1,200 nm at 12 knots. With a 12-elements crew, it comes with a more powerful combat system, which in addition to a 20 or 30 mm remote controlled weapon system (RWS), two 12.7 mm and two 7.62 mm machine guns, also includes up to two lightweight launchers for anti-surface and anti-air missiles (MBDA Simbad RC, Thales LMM and Raytheon Griffin. It can also operate a 6.5 meters RHIB). With over 100 boats sold to clients including Angola, Mozambique, Qatar, UAE and Yemen, CMN today offers the Mk IV version of the DV 15 maritime security boat. With a 17.6 meters length and 3.4 meters beam, it can reach a maximum speed of 65 knots with a range of 250 nm at 50 knots. It has a complement of six plus six embarked personnel. In addition to a main RWS with a 30 mm ATK M230LF gun, the latest version is slightly longer and faster and can accommodate an MBDA Simbad RC system with two Mistral 3 missiles for multi-

With over 100 boats sold to clients including Angola, Mozambique, Qatar, UAE and Yemen, CMN today offers the Mk IV version of the DV 15 maritime security boat characterized by guns and missiles weapon package. © CMN Naval Group purpose operations. One of the worldwide top-speed interceptors, with an 18.6 meters length and 3.5 meters beam, the composite material-made WP 18 boat has two diesel engines and surface propellers providing a maximum speed of 70+ knots, with a 370 nm range at 47 knots. Designed for high-speed assaults and special operations and sold to different customers, the stealthy platform has a crew of three and can accommodate a 12.7 mm RWS in addition to intelligence gathering equipment. CMN is also promoting a new family of high-speed assault boats starting from the 18.7 meters long HASB 20 model, capable to be beached and to carry up to 24 combatants deployed via the forward ramp, with a top speed of 40 knots and a 12.7 mm RWS, to the new 32 meters HSAB 32 model able to carry up to 50 combatants with an RWS and a laser-guided rocket launcher.

Unveiled by French Couach shipbuilder during Euronaval 2022, the Light Modular Interceptor combines outboard power, seaproven hull and a deck plan tailored to the client’s needs. It is capable to reach 60 knots and carry a 12.7 mm machine gun. © Couach

Couach shipbuilder in Gujan-Mestras (near Bordeaux) offers a family of 11-to-22 meters high-speed patrol vessels, including the 16.9 meters long 1650 FIC (Fast Interceptor Craft) capable of 60+ knots and sold to the Saudi Coast Guard in almost 80 units, and the PL1400 FIC model of 14.15 meters length that features a top speed of 55 knots and is armed with a 12.7 mm RWS, already sold to Oman. During Euronaval 2022, Couach unveiled the new 12 meters outboardpowered multi-mission platform known as the Light Modular Interceptor (LMI). Combining outboard power, sea-proven hull and a deck plan tailored to the client’s needs, the LMI comes in two versions, open and with an enclosed and air-conditioned wheelhouse. It is capable to reach 65 knots and carries a 12.7 mm machine gun..

The Ufast’s boatyard in Quimper, Britanny, is delivering 12 interceptors to the French Navy for base protection and approach surveillance. With a 15.2 meters length and 4.3 meters beam, these GRP-made platforms are equipped with four outboard engines providing a 40+ knots top speed. Capable to carry eight operators in addition to a crew of two, it can be equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun and an MBDA MMP missile launcher. The shipyard also offers 12 and 35 meters fast patrol models, the latter designed by Camarc.

In addition to a wide range of fast patrol vessels Ocea shipbuilding offers the C-Falcon 17.3 meters long platform capable of a maximum speed of 50 knots, which can carry 16 combatants plus a crew of four, and was sold to the Nigerian Navy.

The French Ocea shipbuilder offers the C-Falcon 17.3 meters long Fast Interceptor Craft capable of a maximum speed of 50 knots, which can carry 16 combatants plus a crew of four. It was sold to the Nigerian Navy. © Ocea

Southern Europe

Cantiere Navale Vittoria (CNV), the Italian shipyard located near Rovigo on the Adriatic coast, latest product portfolio ranges from Italian Coast Guard’s new 20 meters SAR CP 300 boats to the OPV 748 recently delivered to the Malta Armed Forces. Among its models we find a family of aluminium-made fast patrol craft including the 27 meters and 90 tonnes FPV 270 and 35 meters and 140 tonnes FPV 350, sold in different versions to national and international customers, including Libya, Cyprus, Croatia, Slovenia, Tunisia and Romania. Between 2020 and 2021 CNV delivered four new design 38.6 meters FPV 355 craft to the Hellenic Coast Guard with a combat suite provided by Elbit Systems, and a propulsion plant ensuring a

35+ knots maximum speed. The company has been working on FICs since the first half of 2010s, developing four fibreglass models including the FIC 137, FIC 140, FIC 150 and FIC 199. The latter is a 19.9 meters demonstrator capable to reach 80 knots while the 15 meters and four crew FIC 150 has been developed for both SAR and anti-smuggling operations. The 14 meters FIC 140 can reach 60 knots and carry three operators in addition to the crew of three. In service with the Slovenian police, the 13.7 meters FIC 137 can reach 60 knots with a crew of four.

Effebi, the Tuscany-based Italian boat builder of both leisure and military boats in fiberglass and composite materials, offers a range of

The latest addition to Italy’s Cantiere Navale Vittoria range of patrol vessels is the new 38.6 meters FPV 355 craft of which four were delivered to the Hellenic Coast Guard. They are equipped with a combat suite provided by Elbit Systems. © Cantiere Navale Vittoria fast patrol vessels ranging from 13 to 44 meters, in addition to a new design 8 meters hybrid patrol vessel and a 16 meters V8000 interceptor developed for the Italian Custom Service’s Guardia di Finanza. Delivered in May 2022, the latter has a 16.5 meters length and 3.5 meters beam. Its outboard propulsion system allows a maximum speed of 68 knots with a range of 460 nm at 35 knots. It hosts a crew of four and is fitted with a mission suite including satellite link, radar and EO/IR sensor. In January 2021, Effebi also delivered the first 44 meters fast patrol vessel to the Guardia di Finanza, the Italian Financial and Custom Police, capable to reach 45 knots. With a crew of 23 and a range of 700 nm at the same speed, the new

In May 2022, the Tuscany-based Effebi boat builder delivered the Guardia di Finanza the first 16.5 meters V8000 interceptor boat. Its outboard propulsion system allows a maximum speed of 68 knots with a range of 460 nm at 35 knots. © Effebi boat has a full mission suite with command, control and communications with satellite link, radar and EO/IR sensor.

Italian FB Design, founded by Fabio Buzzi and based on lake Como, is one of the most prolific manufacturers of craft included in this article. With a range of high-speed product families up to 19 meters and speeds up to 70 knots, all FB Design models are based on the Structural Foam technology, which makes the platform unsinkable and perfect for long search and rescue missions. The latest addition to the shipyard production range is the 18+ meters FB 60 family, which includes the FB 60’ SF ‘Ognitempo’ (‘All weather’) expressly developed for the specific

The latest addition to the Italian Effebi Design production range is the 18+ meters FB 60 family, which includes the FB 60’ SF version. In service with the Guardia di Finanza, it can reach 55 knots at full load.© Effebi Design

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requirements of the Guardia di Finanza. With an 18.8 meters length and 4.4 meters beam, the FB 60’ SF Ognitempo features a deep ‘V’ composite hull with a propulsion system allowing for a full load top speed of 55 knots. With a crew of six, these boats feature an integrated bridge equipped with a mission suite developed under the supervision of Elettronica Marittima and including a GEM Elettronica dual radar, a Rohde & Schwarz communication suite with satellite link, and the IAI MiniPoP EO/IR system.

Ferretti Security & Defence (FSD), the defence division of the Ferretti leisure boats and yacht group, developed a range of advanced high-speed composite-made platforms ranging from 16 to 35 meters that includes both patrol and high-speed assault boat models, enjoying both national and international success. The middle product range includes the FSD 195 and the FSD 245 models. The former is under production and was already delivered to international customers; 20 meters long with a 38.2 tonnes displacement, the FSD 195 can reach a maximum speed in excess of 50 knots and can be fitted with a 12.7 mm RWS, in addition to a full mission suite with radars, electro-optical systems and satcoms. Its combat boat version can transport up to 24 operators or 6/12 operators with light transport vehicles such as ATVs or motorcycles. The 25.4 meters FSD 245 can reach 55 knots and can be customized for special missions. The 35.3 meters FSD 350 is the most powerful model capable to reach 55 knots in the CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) propulsion configuration, and can launch and recover a 7.5 meters RHIB. During the IDEX 2021 exhibition, the UAE Armed Forces announced the award to FSD

During IDEX/NAVDEX of a contract for the procurement of highspeed assault vessels. On its stand, FSD was showcasing the 32.2 meters FSD 320 HSCB combat boat platform equipped with waterjet propulsion to operate at high-speed in low waters and characterized by a stealth design and a combat system including a medium and smaller calibre RWSs.

FSD also promotes the 16 meters-long FSD 150 in both LC (Landing Craft) and CB models and the new 16.7 meters hybrid powered FSD N800, the latter being operational with Italy Carabinieri’s naval corps to protect national waters.

Spanish Aresa International offers a complete range of high-speed and patrol vessels up to 60 meters of length. The company is currently producing nine ARES 1300 Sentinel II high-speed boats being delivered to different African customers. With a 13.2 meters length and a 3.6 meters beam, it is the latest version of the model built entirely in naval aluminium and equipped with an integral armour protecting its main cabin. Equipped with outboard propulsion and capable to accommodate up to 10 persons, it can reach speeds between 55 and 60 knots in its quadruple engines version. The company also delivered four Aresa 1800 Fighter II high-speed boats to the Nigerian Navy. The latest version of this

18 meters aluminium patrol vessel features an armoured bridge and can reach speeds ranging from 40 to 60 knots, with seats for a total of 16 persons including five crew, and is capable to carry an inflatable boat.

Northern And Central Europe

The Kraken Technology Group (KTG) is developing the K50 Kraken high-speed and heavily armed boat, having signed a number of agreements to provide a full combat and weapon suite.

With a length of 15.25 meters and a beam of 5 meters, according to the few details provided by KTG, the K50 boat will have a speed in excess of 65 knots and a range of 400+ nm at 50 knots. It has a crew of four and can optionally carry an assault team of six. The K50 will be armed with a 30 mm MSI-Defence Systems Seahawk RWS in addition to Thales launchers for four LMMs (Lightweight Multirole Missiles) and two 7.62 Dillon miniguns.

Previously VT Halmatic and today BAE Systems Maritime, this company offers, according to the few disclosed details, armed FICs of different dimensions (10.7, 13 and 18.1 meters) and low radar, infrared and acoustic signature, already acquired by UK’s Special Boat Service.

In addition to the two 19 meters HPB-1900 high-speed patrol craft capable of 40 knots for the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, the UK Marine Specialised Technology Group (MST Group) and BMT naval architect are providing to the UK MoD Police and the Gibraltar MoD Police eighteen 15 meters composite-hulled patrol craft capable to reach 30 knots, to protect major naval installations.

Building on the previous generation of more than 250 Combat Boats 90 (CB 90) operating worldwide with US, Swedish, Norwegian, Malaysian, Mexican and Greek naval forces, Saab Dockstavarvet of Sweden developed the new CB 90 Next Generation (NG) of which 18 boats were delivered to the Swedish Navy as the Docksta CB 90HSM version. The new version features several improvements over legacy CB 90s providing enhanced stealthness, manoeuvrability and speed, and adds capabilities centred on a new combat management system, sensors, ballistic protection and Saab Trackfire 12.7 and 7.62 mm RWS. Capable to accomplish a wide range of missions and carry up to 18 fully equipped soldiers in addition to a crew of three, with a 14.9 meters length and 3.8 meters beam, the CB 90HSM can reach a maximum speed of 45 knots with the maximum load.

Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) of Germany, previously known as Lürssen Defence, offers a product portfolio of fast patrol boats with a top speed ranging from 28 to 45 knots and endurance between three and 14 days, including the 28 meters FPB 28 and the 40 meters CSB 40. The company delivered to Saudi Arabia and Egypt the 35 meters TNC 35, with a stern area for an inflatable boat and an armament package including a 20/30 mm RWS, alongside the 38 meters FPB 38 boat. Fassmer shipyard, also from Germany, is promoting a new multipurpose 40+ knots 25 meters fast patrol boat and a 40+ knots 17 meters fast combat craft, both capable to embark different mission modules including unmanned vehicles.

Turkish Solutions

Turkey’s Yonka-Onuk and Ares shipyards are both specialized in patrol craft. The first company is providing to worldwide customers a range of products starting from 12 meters MRTP 12 FICs to 52 meters MRTP 49 patrol/attack craft. During DIMDEX 2022 the Turkish shipyard signed an MoU with Qatar’s Joint Special Forces Command to deliver four MRTP 24/U Fast Missile Craft (FMCs). This was an option batch of boats under the contract awarded by the same Command during DIMDEX 2018 for the delivery of the initial lot of four MRTP 24/U Special Operation Crafts (SOCs). With this MoU, which is expected to evolve in a contract in the future, the Qatar Armed

The Turkish YoncaOnuk shipyard is completing the delivery of 24 patrol and intervention platforms including 3 MRTP 16 FICs, 3 MRTP 34 FPBs here depicted, 10 MRTP 20 Improved FICs, 4 MRTP 24/U SOCs and 4 MRTP 24/U FMCs. © Yonca-Onuk

Forces will receive 24 vessels including 3 MRTP 16 FICs, 3 MRTP 34 FPBs, 10 MRTP 20 Imporved FICs, 4 MRTP 24/U SOCs and 4 MRTP 24/U FMCs. A Qatar version of the Turkish Navy’s new SAT boat design, which were delivered in 2021, the MRTP 24/U SOCs have a length of 26.3 meters and a beam of 5.5 meters, and can reach a maximum speed of 50+ knots, with a range of 500+ nm at economical speed. Capable to carry up to 16 operators in addition to a crew of five, the MRTP24/U SOCs are armed with Aselsan’s 12.7 mm STAMP RWS (the Turkish Navy’s new SAT boats are armed with Aselsan’s 25 mm STOP/Muhafiz RWS). The MRTP24/U FMCs will be however fitted with a pair of 12.7 mm STAMP as well as MBDA’s Mistral 3 and SIMBAD-RC ST multipurpose short-range missile systems for both anti-air and anti-surface duties.

In addition to three FICs to be delivered in 2023 to the Ministry of Interior, the Turkish Ares shipyard supplied the Qatar Coast Guard a package of boats including five Ares 150 Bold and 10 Ares 110 Bold patrol boats, five Ares 75 Bold fast craft and six Ares 80 SAT Special Forces craft. © Ares shipyard

In May 2022, the Qatar Ministry of Interior announced the contract award to Ares shipyard for three FICs to be delivered in early 2023. In the last eight years, the Qatari Government ordered to Ares different classes of vessels to expand and equip local security agencies fleet with a new generation of platforms. The Qatari Coast Guard received a package of patrol craft and vessels including five Ares 150 Bold and 10 Ares 110 Bold patrol boats, five 23 meters Ares 75 Bold fast craft and six Ares 80 SAT special forces craft. With a length of 24.1 meters and a beam of 5.5 meters, the latter platform is capable to reach 45 knots, is armed with an Aselsan 12.7 mm STAMP RWS, and is capable to launch and recover a RHIB for multi-mission purposes. The Ares 75 Bold has a 24.1 meters length and a 5.8 meters beam, and is capable to reach

38 knots, being equipped with an Aselsan 12.7 mm STAMP RWS. The Ares 150 is a 48 meters long patrol craft fitted with one Aselsan SMASH RWS armed with a 30 mm Bushmaster II, and one Aselsan STAMP RWS with a 12.7 mm machine gun. Its propulsion system offers a top speed of 35 knots. The Ares 110 Bold has a 34.4 meters length and 7.44 meters beam, and can reach 35 knots being equipped with the same Ares 150 armament package and an Ares 24 Harpoon fast interceptor boat. All are compositemade platforms.

Israeli Solutions

Israeli requirement to protect its coastline and today’s offshore oil and gas installations, led to the development of fast patrol vessels with combat capabilities. With a long experience of combat proven craft, Israel Shipyards, part of the SK Group, offers its family of Shaldag fast patrol crafts which has reached the fifth iteration, alongside the Mini-Shaldag model. Differing from the early versions for larger superstructure and a closed bridge, the Shaldag Mk V has a 32.65 meters length and a 6.2 meters beam deepvee hull. It is powered by a propulsion package allowing for a spring speed of 40+ knots, a maximum sustained speed of 35 knots and a range of 1,000 nm at 12 knots. Capable to operate up to sea state 4 with a crew of 1014 members, the marine-aluminium made craft can be equipped with a combat suite including a Rafael Typhoon family RWS, a launcher for Rafael Naval Spike ER (four missiles) or Naval Spike NLOS (Non-Lineof-Sight) missiles, two Mini-Typhoon RWS and 12,7 mm and/or 7,62 mm machine guns. The sensors suite includes a surface search radar and either a Rafael Toplite or an IAI POP EO/IR suite. The Philippine Navy is the latest customer of the Shaldag Mk V model, the first two of nine ordered boats having been commissioned in December 2022. These craft are equipped with a fully integrated combat suite provided by Rafael that includes a Combat Management System (CMS), Typhoon and Mini-Typhoon RWS, Naval Spike missiles, SeaCom internal and external communication system and BNET tactical data link. In July 2021, Israel Shipyards announced to have signed an agreement to provide the Israeli Navy four Shaldag Mk Vs, adapted to the unique customer’s configuration requirements. The Mini-Shaldag model has a 19.8 meters length and a 4.8 meters beam, and is capable to reach a 55 knots speed with a crew of five plus eight operators. The armament includes a 20/23 mm gun and a four Spike missile launcher, in addition to machine guns.