The Netherlands cleared to purchase $2.2 billion in Tomahawk missiles
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
Damen signs Ecuadorian Coast Guard contract
Damen will construct two Stan Patrol 5009 vessels with Astinave for the Ecuadorian Coast Guard under a contract announced on 21 August. The vessels will be built locally by the Ecuadorian shipyard with Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC).
Under the contract, DTC will supply Astinave with prefabricated kits to build both vessels. Due to the complexity of building the Stan Patrol 5009, Damen’s agreement with Astinave includes on-site technical assistance during the construction and commissioning periods.
Ezequiel Najmias, sales manager Americas, Damen, said: ‘We see Astinave not only as a client but also as a partner. Our relationship with them started more than a decade ago when both parties signed a Strategic Alliance Framework Agreement.
Following the first building contract in 2007 Astinave has built a great number of vessels in cooperation with Damen, including tugs, cutter suction dredgers, fast crew suppliers and patrol vessels.
The Ecuadorian Coast Guard will deploy the two new Damen SPa’s 5009 for general patrol duties. The vessels have a top speed of 23 knots provided by four fixed-pitch propellers. The design has been adapted to meet the requirement that each vessel will have the capacity to accommodate 32 people operating for up to 30 days without external support.
Najmias added: ‘Our most challenging modification was to change the standard accommodation layout to fit one extra bed in each room without losing comfort. By increasing the fuel capacity to 90m3, enlarging the storage and freezer rooms and installing a powerful water-maker, both vessels will be able to operate autonomously for 30 days.
Ecuador’s Coast Guard already operates three Damen SPa’s 2606, with a fourth currently under construction at Astinave’s facilities on the banks of the Guayas River. After delivery of the two patrol vessels, the fleet will total six Damen builds.
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