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BAE 85-Meter Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV)

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) offers a successful high capability/low cost solution for the export customer. Variants of the BAE Systems 85-metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) are in service with the Irish Navy (since 1999) and the Mauritian Coast Guard (since 1996). Two of these vessels have been constructed for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The vessel meets the requirements of patrol and response, cargo carriage and handling, sea keeping for sea boat and helicopter operations, and has a high level of comfort for crew and civil agency officials. The vessel is a third generation development by the designer, STX Canada Marine, and is based on the original underwater lines. The design has recently been enhanced to meet the requirements of minimum manning, Southern Ocean sea states, helicopter facilities, crew comfort, and cargo stowage and handling needs.

The OPV is fully equipped for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrol and response operations. The vessel has been specifically modified to enable sea boat deployment and recovery in Sea State 4, helicopter launch and recovery in Sea State 5, and the ability to patrol in Sea State 6 and survive in Sea State 9. These operations have been independently assured through expert analysis by the Australian Department of Defence. The proposed sea boats, helicopter facilities and gun provide a measured peacetime enforcement capability.

While providing a cargo capability for Special Forces' boats and a 20 foot ISO container with a maximum weight of 16 tonnes, the vessel also provides the flexibility to re-supply offshore bases or island dependencies through a combination of transfers by helicopter, crane, light jackstay, replenishment at sea and boats. Class 1C protection was incorporated for the Royal New Zealand Navy and can be provided as an option. The mission system has been designed to be simple, low cost but effective, and integrates communications, navigation and detection of offenders by radar and electronic support measures. The vessel is fitted with a 25 mm Naval Gun System and sizes to 40 mm can be provided to meet customer requirements. More extensive mission and weapon system solutions can be provided as options to meet complex customer requirements.

Principal Characteristics Speeds Maximum continuous Economical cruising Loiter Astern variable 22 kts 12 kts 4-10 kts Between 0 and 5 kts Range 6,000 nm 12 kts Endurance 28 days Length Overall Waterline 85 m 77.6 m Beam 14 m Draught 3.6 m Displacement Full load 1,732 t Complement Ship's crew Flight crew Others 35 10 4 Additional accommodation 30 Helicopter Maximum weight