Malta takes delivery of new flagship
Malta's new flagship pictured at a ceremony in Valetta. (Photo: Cantiere Navale Vittoria)
The 75m OPV will be used for coastal and high seas surveillance and search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean.
The ship is the largest patrol vessel ever built by the Venetian shipbuilder.
Construction of the OPV, worth over €50 million, was co-funded by Malta and the EU under the 2014-2020 Internal Security Fund (ISF).
Related Articles
EU declines to budge in face of Malta’s migrant concerns
Fincantieri delivers OPV Sheraouh to Qatar
New Maltese flagship arrives in Valletta
The OPV P71 has a full load displacement of over 2,000t and can accommodate a crew of around 50.
The ship has an aft flight deck capable of supporting helicopters such as the AW139 used by Malta.
The P71 is armed with a 25mm remote weapon station and light machine guns of differing calibres.
The C2 system includes a 2D surveillance radar, navigation radar and satellite communications system.
The ship arrived in Valetta in November last year, before the recent delivery and commissioning into service.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
-
Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer
The sixth Canada’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is currently at the final stages of construction within Irving Shipbuilding.