Malta takes delivery of new flagship
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
-
Norway and Germany sign agreement on NATO undersea infrastructure
A new chain of Critical Undersea Infrastructure hubs among NATO Allies has been proposed to ensure pipes and cables are safe from damage.
-
Royal Navy calls for industry views on modular outfitting
The UK Government has called for industry views on the viability of a long-term approach to NavyPODS.
-
Malaysian frigate completes detailed design work long after deadline
The KD Maharaja Lela, first proposed in 2014, is still not scheduled to be commissioned by the Royal Malaysian Navy until 2026.