Naval Group delivered the third of the four Argentinian Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ordered by the Argentine Navy, OPV 87 A.R.A. Storni on October 13 in the presence of Captain Santiago Villemur, representative of the Argentine Navy in France, who also handed over the commandment of the ship to Commander Óscar Latorre.
This delivery was carried out by teams from Naval Group and Kership, a joint-venture between Piriou and Naval Group. It is part of the contract signed by Naval Group with Argentina in 2019 for the delivery of four multi-mission patrol vessels. A.R.A. Bouchard (former L’Adroit) was delivered in December 2020 and A.R.A Piedrabuena on April 13th this year.
With the delivery of A.R.A. Storni, the program keeps progressing as scheduled to conclude with the delivery of the last vessel scheduled for April 2022. A 44-people crew from the Argentine Navy has been trained in the operation and maintenance of the vessel.
This third patrol vessel of the series acquired by the Argentine Navy offers the same assets and features as those of the A.R.A. Piedrabuena. Better armed and motorized than the Bouchard, equipped with an active stabilization system and a bow thruster, it is also Ice proven, i.e. adapted to navigation in the cold waters of Antarctica.
Jean-Claude Flandrin, Program Director, said: “The delivery of this third patrol vessel marks a very important milestone for the program, which was achieved on time despite the health crisis that has marked the last two years. The teams are still mobilized to finalize the training of the crew that will leave for Argentina with the vessel. Once the training is completed, we will concentrate our efforts towards the delivery of the last of the series, which was launched last month.”
Olivier Michel, Sales Director for Latin America, added: “We are proud of the trust that the Argentine Navy has placed in Naval Group for the supply of these latest-generation multipurpose vessels that will enable the country to carry out its sovereign missions. This delivery is another demonstration of Naval Group’s and its partners’ capacities and commitment towards its customers to respond to their operational needs.”
The Argentine Offshore Patrol Vessels benefit from innovations developed by Naval Group and proven by the French Navy, which has operated L’Adroit in several oceans for six years for multiple maritime security operations, alone or in cooperation:
- Very high endurance and excellent sea-worthiness;
- A 360° visibility from the bridge and a unique mast for a panoramic radar coverage;
- The rapid, safe and discrete deployment of intervention crafts launched by a double
- system of ramps at the stern of the patrol vessel.
This range of ships also benefits from Naval Group's expertise in information and command systems, allowing for extensive surveillance of the maritime space and the detection of suspicious behaviors. The A.R.A Storni is equipped with the POLARIS® system and NiDL® tactical data link system, specifically developed by Naval Group for state action missions at sea and sea-proven by the French Navy.
The Offshore Patrol Vessel is able to stay on high seas during more than three weeks, to reach a speed of 20 knots and to accommodate a helicopter. Implemented by a reduced crew of 40 members, it is also able to accommodate about twenty extra passengers.
- Length: 87 meters
- Beam: 14 meters
- Displacement: 1,650 tons
- Max. speed: over 20 knots
- Accommodation: 59 (crew and passengers)
- Endurance: > 7,000 nautical miles
- Boarding capacity: two light crafts of 9 meters and one 10-ton class helicopter.
Naval Group is the European leader in naval defense. Naval Group uses its extraordinary know[1]how, unique industrial resources and capacity to arrange innovative strategic partnerships to meet its customers’ requirements. As a system-integrator and prime contractor, the group designs, produces and supports submarines and surface ships. It also supplies services to shipyards and naval bases.
Attentive to corporate social responsibility, Naval Group adheres to the United Nations Global Compact. In 2020, the group reports revenues of 3.3billion euros and has a workforce of 15,798. (Photo © Naval Group: Jean-Claude Flandrin (Program Director and Captain de Vaisseau Santiago Villemur)
