Sea trials completed for new South Africa-built hydrofoil interceptor

South Africa-based Milkor has completed conducting sea trials of a new high-speed interceptor boat.

During the trials, the 12- by 4.8-metre hydrofoil-assisted catamaran vessel was able to achieve speeds of up to 30 knots even while sailing in sea state four.

The vessel also features an air-conditioned wheelhouse with ballistic protection panels and shock-mitigating seats as well as surveillance equipment. Armament options include a 12.7-millimetre machine gun or a 40-millimetre grenade launcher mounted on a fully stabilised remotely operated weapons station.

Milkor said it hopes to market the new vessel to customers in the defence and security sectors in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The craft is slated to undergo further demonstrations in an undisclosed Middle Eastern country in the first half of 2021.