Colombia expands naval presence across Pacific and Caribbean with new offshore patrol vessel ARC 24 de Julio.

On July 29, 2025, the Colombian state-owned shipbuilder Cotecmar announced the launch of the offshore patrol vessel ARC 24 de Julio at its Cartagena de Indias facility following a ceremony attended by President Gustavo Petro, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez, senior military commanders, and other government officials. The launch coincided with the 200th anniversary of the Colombian Navy and the 25th anniversary of Cotecmar. In addition to the ARC 24 de Julio, the ceremony included the launch of the hospital ship Benkos Biohó, the ARC Isla San Andrés coastal vessel, and the delivery of four shallow-draft riverine patrol boats.
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The ARC 24 de Julio is the fourth OPV to join the Colombian Navy and the first of a new class designated POC (Patrullero Oceánico Colombiano), initially labeled OPV-93C/E. (Picture source: Cotecmar)

Cotecmar, operating under the Ministry of Defense, previously reported that the construction of the ARC 24 de Julio is 89 percent complete. The project has involved 1.2 million labor hours and created 1,114 direct and 3,342 indirect jobs. The construction process was carried out under the supervision of Lloyd’s Register to meet international standards. Delivery of the vessel is planned for early 2026. The ARC 24 de Julio is the first oceanic patrol vessel entirely designed and built in Colombia and the fourth OPV incorporated into the fleet. The ARC 24 de Julio belongs to a new generation of OPVs and is the lead ship of the Patrullero Oceánico Colombiano (POC) class, previously designated OPV-93C/E. The number 93 refers to its overall length in meters, the “C” version corresponds to the model configured for the Colombian Navy (ARC), and the “E” version is intended for export. The vessel has an overall length of 93 meters, a beam of 14.2 meters, a depth of seven meters, and a draft of 3.9 meters. Its displacement is 2,665 tons. The ship is powered by four CODAD diesel engines (2,200 kW each) and two CODELOD units (4,800 kW each), along with four 375 kWe and four 740 kWe generators, and one emergency generator rated at 200 kWe. It uses two controllable pitch propellers and a bow thruster of more than 390 kW. The maximum speed is 20 knots, and the endurance is up to 40 days at sea. The operational range is 10,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. The crew capacity includes 64 personnel, with the possibility to accommodate between 45 and 109 additional mission-specific personnel.

The vessel's design is based on mission flexibility and includes both primary and secondary task capabilities. Primary missions include strategic deterrence, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime reconnaissance, environmental surveillance, intelligence support, border control, and troop and equipment transport. Secondary missions involve maritime interdiction, anti-smuggling, counter-narcotics operations, anti-trafficking, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, and search and rescue. The operational profile of the ARC 24 de Julio (PZE-49) allocates 45 percent of activity to patrolling at 12 km/h, 30 percent at 10 km/h, 15 percent to low-speed maneuvering at 5 km/h, 6 percent to high-speed patrol at 18 km/h, and 2 percent at maximum speed patrol at 20 km/h. It is equipped with a stern ramp for a 14-meter interceptor boat, two side davits for 7-meter boats, a five-ton crane with 10-meter reach, a helicopter deck and hangar for helicopters up to 11 tons, and supports two 20-foot modular mission containers. It stores 392 m³ of diesel, 13 m³ of gasoline for small craft, and 67 m³ of fresh water. It features a U-shaped tank stabilizer and a hydraulic winch for deploying small boats, including the Zodiac MilPro FC-470 and Safe Defender 380-X.

Armament includes one Leonardo 76/62 mm Compact Naval Gun with a stealth casemate, one Orbital ATK M242 Bushmaster 25 mm cannon on a remote weapon station located above the hangar, and two additional RWS units on the port and starboard sides. These are armed with Browning M2A2 QCB COAX 12.7 mm machine guns and can also mount General Dynamics MK-19 40 mm grenade launchers or 20 mm L/99 cannons. The three RWS systems weigh 250 kilograms each and operate on 220V three-phase power converted to 24V DC, running on software developed in Colombia. Two M60E4 7.62 mm machine guns are installed near the bridge. In the aft-lower section of the ship, space has been set aside for the future installation of one or two quadruple anti-ship missile launchers, possibly SSM-700K C-Star. The ship integrates the Sisdef/Cotecmar Link-Co naval tactical system and the DARET-ARC Barracuda 2.0 fire control and combat management suite, already used on the OPV-80 and CPV-46 classes and upgraded in 2024.

Design improvements over the OPV-80 class include increased displacement, beam, and modularity. Early testing was conducted at HSVA in Hamburg, and changes include replacing a previously considered telescopic hangar with a structural version. The superstructure height is being evaluated for a weight-reduction program to lower the center of gravity. Although initial plans included different diesel-electric propulsion configurations, the current CODAD and CODELOD combination was selected following performance testing. Cotecmar states that the OPV-93 platform is suitable for export, with Ecuador identified as a potential customer for the OPV-93E variant. Cotecmar argues that similarities in platform dimensions, automation level, radar signature, and logistical support make it compatible with regional naval requirements. In parallel, the development of a locally funded 12.7 mm remote-controlled turret involving Indumil, Colciencias, and ARC-Invedes is under evaluation for integration on future POC units. These developments are supported by investments in piers, dry docks, outfitting facilities, and serial production infrastructure.

The ARC 24 de Julio is part of the broader Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES) naval modernization program, which includes two Sigma 10514 frigates and two additional BAL-C logistics ships, with the keel-laying for the first frigate scheduled for December 2025. The program has received budget approval of $435 million for the first PES unit. The goal is to strengthen Colombia’s maritime presence in both the Pacific and Caribbean, enhance environmental and humanitarian logistics capacities, and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. Cotecmar has delivered over 150 vessels since its founding in 2000 and employs more than 1,260 personnel. It is recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology as a certified technological development center. Thales, which participated in Colombiamar 2023, has confirmed its cooperation with Cotecmar by offering solutions for the POC and PES programs, including combat management systems, radars, electronic warfare, naval communications, and cybersecurity. These projects also aim to strengthen the national defense industrial base, provide advanced training, and increase employment within Colombia’s maritime sector.

The hospital ship Benkos Biohó was launched at the same ceremony and is the first vessel of its type built in Colombia. It is 39 meters long and 9.5 meters wide and features a helipad, medical facilities for surgery, general consultation, gynecology, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, telemedicine, and clinical laboratories. It is designed to serve over 100,000 people in isolated communities on Colombia’s Pacific coast. The project is 73 percent complete and has required 353,954 labor hours, generating 287 direct and 861 indirect jobs. The coastal inspection vessel ARC Isla San Andrés was also launched and is 93.5 percent complete. It was developed for the Dirección General Marítima and will operate in the San Andrés and Providencia archipelago, conducting bathymetric surveys, marine research, and inspections of coastal and nautical activities. Its construction has involved 81,000 hours of labor and created 81 direct and 243 indirect jobs. Additionally, Cotecmar delivered four of 26 contracted low-draft riverine patrol boats designed for difficult-access inland waterways, particularly in missions led by the Colombian Marine Infantry. These vessels have required 34,514 labor hours and generated 37 direct and 111 indirect jobs. The combined launch of these vessels reflects Cotecmar’s efforts to advance national maritime capabilities, combining defense objectives with civil missions.