Breaking news
French Ministry of Defense orders two PLG Light Patrol Vessels for the Antilles-Guiana area.
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 Patrouilleurs Légers Guyanais (Light Patrol Vessel for Guiana or PLG) for the French Navy. Picture: Bureau MAURIC & SOCARENAM |
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The
two patrol boats will be equipped with light arms (20mm remote-controlled
weapons, possibly Narhwal. Ed Note: Navy Recognition is still checking
on this with Nexter and what looks like 2x manned 12.7mm guns behind the
bridge). Their response teams will be projected using two RHIBs and
can carry out control or coercion operations day and night, including
during poor sea conditions. For the design and PLG definition studies, Socarenam worked with MAURIC Ship Design specializing in naval architecture and engineering with offices established in Nantes and Marseille. Hulls and superstructures will be constructed by the shipyard Socarenam St. Malo, while fitting out will be made in the Boulogne-sur-Mer. CNN MCO company, established in Guipavas (Britanny), will ensure the work of operational maintenance of the two patrol boats during their first six years of service. Delivery of PLGs are expected by the end of 2016 for the first unit and in the summer 2017 for the second. |
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 The main gun of the PLG is confirmed to be a NARWHAL 20B 20mm RWS by Nexter Systems. Note that the PLG is fitted with a 360 degree bridge. Picture: Bureau MAURIC & SOCARENAM |
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 Two weapon stations are fitted at the back of the bridge for 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns. Picture: Bureau MAURIC & SOCARENAM |
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Update
16/01/2015: Contacted by Navy Recognition Nexter Systems confirmed that the Remote Weapons System (RWS) located forward is the Narhwal: "The two PLG Light Patrol Vessels built by SOCARENAM should both be fitted with a NARWHAL20B as main gun, in a similar configuration to the NARWHAL20B fitted on the French Navy FREMM frigates." a Nexter Systems spokeperson told us. Contacted by Navy Recognition a DGA official gave the following additional details: » PLG have two shaft lines, the propelling power will be about 6 MW, capable of crossing at least 3500 NM at 12 knots. » The weapon stations for secondary weapons will be able to receive a choice of small caliber machine guns of 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm. PLG is also equipped with water cannon. » The two on-board RHIBs will be identical. They will have an aluminum hull and a length of about eight meters. » PLG will have several sensor systems (radars, projectors, optronic system) enabling it to intervene at any time, day or night. |
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 A ramp at the stern allows for quick launch and recovery of RHIBs while underway Picture: Bureau MAURIC & SOCARENAM |
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