Damen, Mexican Navy building POLA vessel
Damen Shipyards Group and the Mexican Navy are working together to build a Long Range Ocean Patrol (POLA) vessel, the company announced on 26 June.
With a length of 107m and a beam of 14m, the POLA vessel will be the Mexican version of the Damen’s SIGMA 10514. It will be able to sail at speeds of over 25 knots with a capacity of more than 20 days at sea.
Damen will build two of the six modular sections of the vessel at the Damen Schelde Naval shipyard in the Netherlands. The remaining four modules will be built in Mexico. The construction of these modules, along with the integration, will be carried out at a yard that cooperates on this with Damen.
During the construction of the modules in Europe, a Mexican team will be in the Netherlands to supervise the process and to receive knowledge transfer.
The first of the Dutch modules has already arrived in Mexico, where it is being integrated with two of those already built in Salina Cruz. The hull of the vessel has already been completed in drydock. It will now be prepared to receive the other three superstructure modules.
The POLA vessel will be capable of carrying out various missions including long range SAR, surveillance and patrol operations, and humanitarian relief.
The flagging ceremony of the POLA is planned for November 2018. A full integrated process of setting to work, commissioning, training, tests and trials will continue in 2019.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA]()
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
![L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts]()
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
![Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS]()
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
![How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions]()
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
![Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA]()
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
