France orders seven offshore patrol vessels
Seven new OPVs are destined for the French Navy. (Image: Naval Group)
The first offshore patrol vessel (OPV) is scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 10 OPVs are expected to be in service by 2035. They are intended to replace the high seas patrol vessels based in Brest and Toulon, as well as the Cherbourg public service patrol boats.
The French Navy will receive seven OPVs under a €900 million (US$981 million) with government procurement agency Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) acting as prime contractor, Naval Group providing project management assistance and Thales providing hull sonar and other systems.
A production contract was also notified to the temporary consortium of companies consisting of CMN, Piriou and Socarenam.
Thales was awarded a contract to equip the first seven OPVs with maritime surveillance equipment, specifically Bluewatcher hull sonars, N550 compact multi-mission surveillance radars and TSA 3522 Identification Friend or Foe systems, and will also carry out systems integration.
DGA said in a statement: ‘The first stage of the offshore patrol vessel programme, based on the acquisition of seven vessels, will fill a gap in the second-tier vessel segment taking into account the decommissioning of offshore patrol vessels that have already taken place.’
The new OPVs will replace the Estienne d’Orves class of type A69 Avisos and OPV54-class patrol boats. They will operate in French littoral waters, primarily across the continental shelf to depths of 200m and continental slope and rise to depths of 1,000m. Designed for long endurance, the new multi-role OPVs will perform escort roles for front-line warships.
Shephard Defence Insight noted that the procurement was previously known as BATSIMAR (Bâtiment de surveillance et d'intervention maritime), then PHM-NG, but has now been labelled "Future Ocean Patrol" under the Patrouilleurs Océanique programme.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS]()
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
