The President of the French Republic announces order of 6 patrollers overseas.

During the Assises of the maritime economy that took place yesterday in Montpellier, the President of the French Republic has announced the order of six new patrol boats. This program will complete the renewal of patrollers stationed overseas for the surveillance of our maritime areas, in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Reunion. Delivery is expected to be honoured between 2022 and 2025.

Overseas Patrol Boat to be delivered to France (Picture source: French Ministry of Defense)

At the Assises of the maritime economy in Montpellier, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, announced the order of six new patrol boats for overseas. In accordance with the orientations that it had taken in military programming act, this order reinforces the protection of our maritime areas and anticipates the restoration of this component by two years.

This announcement follows the Ministerial Investment Committee of November 19, 2019, where Florence Parly decided to launch the Overseas Patroller Program.

In a context of increasing threats to fish resources, biodiversity and international rules of the law of the sea, France intends to fully exercise its sovereignty and responsibilities in France and overseas.

That is why the recovery of the naval resources of surveillance of our overseas maritime spaces had begun by the delivery of the three patrollers Antilles-Guyane between 2017 and 2019. It continues today with this order that will make it possible to replace the old generation of patrollers in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Reunion, between 2022 and 2025.

With extensive capabilities - including an aerial drone - these overseas patrol boats will provide sovereignty and protection in the French exclusive economic zones, intervention against maritime pollution and in favour of the preservation of the environment, as well as rescue and assistance to people.

Thus, between 2017 and 2025, all the patrollers stationed overseas will have been renewed.