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FEINDEF 2025: How New OPV 87 Patrol Vessels Strengthen Uruguay’s Naval Projection and Maritime Deterrence.
At the Feindef 2025 exhibition, held this year in Madrid, the Spanish company Cintranaval is showcasing one of its key ongoing projects for the Oriental Republic of Uruguay: the new OPV 87 offshore patrol vessels. The company is presenting a detailed model of these ships on its stand, highlighting the strategic and industrial significance of this naval program. Designed by Cintranaval, one of Spain’s most established naval engineering firms, the OPV 87s will be built by the Cardama shipyard in Vigo, in accordance with European standards and international quality norms.
The Patrol Vessel's primary armament will include a 30mm Bushmaster Mk44 cannon, supported by two .50 caliber machine guns, one on each side (Picture source: Army Recognition)
These new naval platforms will have a displacement of 1,700 tonnes, a length of 86.75 meters, and a beam of 12.20 meters. The depth to the main deck is 4.80 meters, while the design draft is estimated at 3.60 meters. Propulsion will be provided by two shaft lines equipped with controllable pitch propellers, allowing for improved maneuverability and energy efficiency at sea. The OPVs will reach a maximum speed of 21 knots and offer a notable range of 7,700 nautical miles, enabling extended operations without the need for refueling.
Designed to conduct a wide range of missions, the patrol vessels will carry a standard crew of 64 personnel, with accommodation for an additional 25. Each ship will feature a hangar capable of hosting an embarked helicopter, enhancing its versatility for air-sea operations. To ensure stability during high-sea navigation and aerial activities, the vessels will be fitted with stabilizing fins.
Operationally, the OPV 87s will be equipped with two fast boats for maritime interdiction missions. Their primary armament will include a 30mm Bushmaster Mk44 cannon, supported by two .50 caliber machine guns, one on each side. All weapons will be mounted on gyro-stabilized platforms supplied by the Spanish firm Escribano, which will also provide the integrated electro-optical targeting systems, ensuring accurate fire control under varying conditions.
Construction oversight will be managed by a leading international ship classification society, ensuring compliance with all technical and regulatory standards. The Uruguayan Navy will maintain a permanent on-site presence at the Vigo shipyard to closely monitor progress throughout the project. Founded in 1964 in Bilbao, Cintranaval has designed over 600 ships and operates in more than 30 countries. Its client portfolio includes the Spanish Guardia Civil, the Spanish Tax Agency, the armed forces of Malta, the Kenyan Navy, and the Indonesian Police, among others.
By presenting the OPV 87 model at Feindef 2025, Cintranaval is reaffirming its position as a key actor in the design of vessels adapted to the operational needs of today’s naval forces. The program for Uruguay reflects not only industrial cooperation between the two countries but also Montevideo’s intention to expand its maritime capabilities with modern, robust, and adaptable platforms.
For Uruguay, the OPV 87s mark a significant step forward in maritime defense and surveillance capabilities. Their extended range, stabilized weapon systems, and embarked assets will allow sustained naval presence within exclusive economic zones, while supporting missions such as enforcement, interdiction, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring under various operational conditions. These ships are suited to the requirements of a country with an extensive coastline and valuable maritime resources to secure.
The combination of modern sensors, electro-optical targeting systems, and helicopter accommodation provides the OPV 87s with true multi-mission potential. They enhance Uruguay’s capacity to conduct maritime deterrence and improve the operational credibility of its navy when facing irregular or asymmetric threats. With these new vessels, Uruguay moves toward reinforced maritime sovereignty by acquiring long-term, regulation-compliant naval assets capable of ensuring national presence and control at sea.