Colombia orders Second OPV-80 from COTECMAR

: Posted On Monday, 31 October 2011 11:32

World Navy Force News - Colombia

Colombia orders Second OPV-80 from COTECMAR

The Colombian Navy placed an order on 20 October for a second OPV-80 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) from the government-run COTECMAR shipyards in Cartagena.

The navy expects to acquire four OPV-80s by 2019.

COTECMAR obtained a licence from Fassmer to build the 1,723-ton OPV-80 in 2007 and began to build the first vessel, 20 de Julio , in March 2009. The Colombian OPV-80 differs from the standard version in that it is powered by two Wärtsilä 6 L 26 engines instead of the standard 12 V 26 engines.

The flagships of the Royal Navy and the Marine nationale are lined up to work side-by-side next year to demonstrate the progress made between the two fleets. The Royal Navy's key deployment of 2012 - which will see the UK Response Force Task Group (UK RFTG) head to the Mediterranean - is due to join forces with the FS Charles de Gaulle and her carrier battlegroup for an exercise that will highlight co-operation between the two navies.

Chilean Navy “Piloto Pardo” OPV
(picture: Fassmer)

Chile was the first country to order two OPV 80s from Fassmer. These large offshore patrol vessels have good seakeeping characteristics and set numerous new standards in this area. The advanced hull design makes the vessel fully seagoing and ideal for multi-functional tasks in naval and coastal missions. A special deck layout features the helicopter landing platform and a big rescue zone. The vessel can accomodate up to 100 persons and has a maximum speed of 25 knots.