Ivorian President identified as buyer of Israeli OPV 45 in confidential deal.

According to some African defence media, the two Israeli-built OPV 45 offshore patrol vessels reported to be en route to an undisclosed African customer by Israeli Shipyards, would have been bought by the Ivorian President "Alassane Ouattara".
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An OPV 45 patrol boat. (Picture source: Israel Shipyards)

The two vessels are said according to an exclusive source to have been purchased by Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian President though a clandestine deal with Israel as an undisclosed price.

The Ivorian Navy operational capabilities has been largely degraded after the first and second civil war, leaving it with few vessels for coastal surveillance and security. In 2018, it was reported that the Ivorian Navy was purchasing 30 RHIBs and ten patrol crafts from Raidco Marine to boost its operations.

An OPV 45 patrol boat. (Picture source: Israel Shipyards)

About the OPV 45:

The OPV 45s will be equipped with day/night observation systems as well as stabilized weapon systems, both Israeli-made, which will maximize the effectiveness of the vessels during their various missions.

The OPV 45 is designed for a wide range of naval, para-military and HLS missions. It enables open sea patrol and surveillance and supports a wide variety of offshore missions such as the protection of facilities and EEZs, anti-terror/smuggling/illegal activity interdiction, intervention force boarding/landing, close-range naval combat operations, and enhanced search and rescue missions.

Installed with advanced weapon stations, electro-optics, radar and communication systems suitable for various missions, the OPV-45 has an overall length of 45.7m, a sustained speed of above 24 knots, and a command bridge enabling 360° observation. For missions requiring high-speed interception, the OPV-45 can carry a Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) of 7.20m.