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New French overseas patrol vessels set for 2023 service entry

4th August 2022 - 14:00 GMT | by Jean-Marc Tanguy in Paris

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Auguste Bénébig will reach its future home port of Nouméa by January 2023. (Photo: Socarenam)

The first of six POM overseas patrol boats for use in France's Pacific territories has commenced sea trials and is due to enter service in New Caledonia in January 2023.

France is set to begin renewal of the patrol craft used in its Indo-Pacific overseas territories. Six new-generation overseas patrol vessels (POM) are being built for a total of €250 million ($254 million), and will be based in New Caledonia, Tahiti and Reunion.

The first of class Auguste Bénébig is due to arrive in New Caledonia in January, replacing the last P400 patrol boat still in service, a design which has experienced serious engine problems.

The crew of 30 was formed on 1 April at Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, where fitting out of the ship continued afloat after its construction in Saint-Malo (Brittany). Sea trials began in

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