Colombia's COTECMAR commences construction of new OPV
The new Colombian OPV will take around two and a half years to build. (Photo: COTECMAR)
The Colombian shipbuilding corporation COTECMAR has started the construction of an OPV as the first platform as part of an order for three new ships.
Construction of the OPV, which began on 31 March, will take 'around two and a half years,' and 'is the first [OPV] manufactured based on a local design by a Latin American country,' according to COTECMAR.
The OPV has a length of 93m-long and will carry a 'rapid reaction boat and a helicopter,' the shipbuilder added.
The vessel will be used for maritime security, patrol, and maritime interdiction, among other operations, the Colombian Navy told Shephard.
The new OPV still needs to be assigned a name, the Navy added, but it will have the new 'Colombia OPV-class' designation.
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