Naval Group begins production of Argentinian OPVs

Naval Group has begun production on OPVs for the Argentinian Navy. Under the contract signed with Argentina, which came into force on 14 February 2019, the first vessel to be delivered will be L’Adroit. 

Developed by Naval Group, the L’Adroit had previously been made available to the French Navy since 2011. The remaining three patrol vessels will be built in France.

The company will conduct a complete review of L'Adroit and modernise some of its equipment to ensure its full potential for the Argentinian Navy. The endurance of the four ships will be extended through an increased on-board freshwater production capacity.

The three new OPVs will also be adapted to navigation in the cold waters of the southern seas. All four ships will be equipped with a remotely-operated 30mm cannon.

The Argentine OPVs will be outfitted for the operation of airborne and surface UAS. L’Adroit also features the Polaris mission system.

With a maximum speed of 20kt, the OPVs will be 87m in length and 14m in width. The OPVs can stay at sea for more than three weeks and will be able to accommodate a helicopter, a 40-person crew and up to thirty passengers.