On
January 27, 2014 the first of two P-18N offshore patrol vessels (OPV)
ordered by the Nigerian Navy was launched at the China Shipbuilding
& Offshore International Company (CSOC) at Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan,
China. CSOC is part of the part of the State Shipbuilding Corporation,
China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). |
In April 2012, Nigeria signed a contract with China to build two P18N
OPVs. Under the contract, the lead ship was to be built in Wuhan with
construction starting in October 2012, while the second unit is expected
to be partially built in Nigeria.
P18N Offshore Patrol Vessels have a displacement 1,800, a length of
95 m, width of 12.2 m and beam of 3.5 m. It is powered by two MTU 20V
4000M diesel engines. The maximum speed is 21 knots.
The endurance of the vessel is 20 days at sea for a crew of 70 sailors.
These OPVs are fitted with a H/PJ26 76mm main gun mount and two H/PJ14
30mm gun mounts. The class may accomodate a Z- 9 helicopter thanks to
its helipad and hangar at the stern. |
