Argentine Navy receives the fourth OPV Bartolomé Cordero.

According to a PR published by Naval Group on April 11, 2022, the last of the four Argentinian offshore patrol vessel (OPV), OPV 87 A.R.A. Contraalmirante Cordero, was delivered to the Argentine Navy. The delivery and commandment handover ceremony of the last vessel of the series marks the completion of a successful program.
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Offshore Patrol Vessel A.R.A. Bartolomé Cordero (Picture source: Naval Group)

The A.R.A. Contraalmirante Cordero is the last vessel of the series and its delivery marks the success of a program that has met all its deadlines: the A.R.A. Bouchard (ex-L'Adroit) was delivered in December 2019 two months ahead of schedule, and the second and third offshore patrol vessels A.R.A Piedrabuena and A.R.A Storni were delivered in April and October 2021, in line with the original schedule.

The Argentine offshore patrol vessels benefit from innovations developed by Naval Group and proven by the French Navy, which has operated L’Adroit in several oceans for six years for multiple maritime security operations, alone or in cooperation.

The three patrol vessels of the series constructed in Concarneau offer the same assets and features as those of the A.R.A. Bouchard. Several developments have been incorporated to meet the needs of the Argentine Navy as closely as possible.

Better armed and motorized than the Bouchard, equipped with an active stabilization system and a bow thruster, it is also Ice proven, i.e. adapted to navigation in the cold waters of Antarctica.

They offer very high endurance and excellent sea-worthiness and a 360° visibility from the bridge and a unique mast for panoramic radar coverage. But also a rapid, safe, and discrete deployment of intervention crafts launched by a double system of ramps at the stern of the patrol vessel.

This range of ships also benefits from Naval Group's expertise in information and command systems, allowing for extensive surveillance of the maritime space and the detection of suspicious behaviors.

The A.R.A Contraalmirante Cordero is equipped with the POLARIS® system and NiDL® tactical data link system, specifically developed by Naval Group for state action missions at sea and sea-proven by the French Navy.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel is able to stay on high seas for more than three weeks, reach a speed of 20 knots, and accommodate a helicopter. Implemented by a reduced crew of 40 members, it is also able to accommodate about twenty extra passengers.

The ship has a length of 87 meters and a beam of 34 meters. She can reach a top speed of 20 knots, an endurance of 7000 nautical miles, and has a displacement of 1,650 tons.