Metal Shark gains FMS modification for four Defiant-class patrol boats
Example of a Metal Shark-built Near Coastal Patrol Vessel. (Photo: Metal Shark)
Metal Shark will establish FY2022 and FY2023 pricing for four Near Coastal Patrol Vessels destined to be operated by US allies in Central America and the Caribbean.
Metal Shark has received a $36.19 million FMS contract modification from US Naval Sea Systems Command to establish FY2022 and FY2023 pricing for four Near Coastal Patrol Vessels (NCPVs).
‘This modification supports Foreign Military Sales (FMS) orders from nations within the US Southern Command area of responsibility,’ the DoD announced on 24 March. ‘Specific FMS sales will be identified as future delivery orders occur.’
Work will be performed in Franklin, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed by November 2024.
In all, Metal Shark is producing 13 NCPVs (also known as 85 Defiant-class patrol boats) under a $54 million FMS contract from the USN to support Caribbean and Central American allies such as the Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
NCPV is based on the Damen Stan Patrol 2606 platform. Each boat displaces 55t and is 25.9m long, 6m in the beam and 1.8m in draught, powered by two 1,600hp Caterpillar C-32 engines.
Armament includes the option to carry a single 12.7mm machine gun and two 7.62mm machine guns.
The boats are designed to carry a 5.6m rigid-hull inflatable boat.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement]()
BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
-
![Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates]()
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
![Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat]()
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
![Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine]()
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.
-
![Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first]()
Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first
On 24 March 2022, Greece and Naval Group have signed a contract for three defence and intervention (FDI) frigates. Two warships will be due for delivery in 2025 and the third expected the following year, with the deal including an option to add a fourth frigate to be ready in 2027.
