African customer orders pair of OPV 45s
An unnamed African navy has ordered two OPVs from Israel Shipyards.
The OPV 45 vessels will be equipped with Israeli technology such as day/night observation sensors and stabilised weapon systems, the shipbuilder announced on 9 July.
Financial terms of the order and the delivery timescale were undisclosed, but Israel Shipyards did note that the deal includes ongoing support and maintenance, as well as training of technical and operational teams.
OPV-45 is designed to be a low-cost multi-role vessel for a wide range of missions including anti-piracy and EEZ monitoring, sitting between the Shaldag patrol vessel and Sa’ar corvettes in the Israel Shipyards portfolio.
‘Since the launch of the OPV 45 vessel at the IMDEX exhibition in Singapore last year, navies around the world have expressed great interest in this new vessel due to its cost-effectiveness and suitability for a wide range of missions,’ said Israel Shipyards CEO Eitan Zucker.
West Africa is a target market for the company. Shephard reported in April that Israel Shipyards launched an additional Shaldag Mk II for an existing West African government customer (probably Equatorial Guinea or Nigeria), with delivery due to take place in Q3 this year.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates]()
Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates
The system is intended to add enhanced operational precision to two ageing vessels.
-
![Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping]()
Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping
The rMCM programme will ultimately comprise of 12 vessels, six each working for the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
-
![Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost]()
Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost
The US Government has awarded a significant contract to move along its Polar Security Cutter programme.
-
![Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory]()
Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory
The deal, which has been planned since August 2024, is part of an ongoing attempt to bolster Australia’s defences against the potential of Chinese aggression.
-
![TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid]()
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
![As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?]()
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
