DSCT completes two patrol vessels
Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) in South Africa has completed building two FCS 5009 patrol vessels.
These are the first vessels of their type built in South Africa.
The vessels have been prepared by the DSCT for outfitting with a sea rogue weaponry system. This system will include a 20mm cannon forward of the wheelhouse and two 12.7mm Browning guns on the port and starboard sides of the wheelhouse. The system can be operated by a hand controller and has an accurate target-tracking feature.
Sam Montsi, chairman, DSCT, said: ‘The FCS 5009 is deliverable in two formats. It can be either a fast crew supply ship or a security patrol vessel.’
DSCT is able to carry out the final conversion for either option within a matter of weeks. They are outfitted with MTU engines that offer a light weight-to-power ratio for increased speed.
More from Naval Warfare
-
‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home
Fincantieri naval vessels chief Eugenio Santagata spoke to Shephard about opportunities and how they sit within a portfolio backed by a “strong backlog”, as Euronaval 2026 unfolded.
-
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
-
Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?
New interceptors and launchers could help navies preserve missile stocks during prolonged escort operations. Yet lower engagement costs will only improve merchant protection if the weapons are available where ships need defending.
-
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.