Turkish yard launches second patrol vessel in series ordered by Nigerian Navy

Turkey’s Dearsan Shipyard has floated out the second of two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) that the company is building for the Nigerian Navy.

Once completed, the OPV will have a steel hull, an aluminium superstructure, a length of 76 metres, a beam of 11 metres, a displacement of 1,100 tonnes, and a crew complement of 43.

Armament will include 76mm and 40mm naval guns, four 12.7mm machine guns including two on stabilised weapon mounts, and surface-to-air missiles. The vessel will also be fitted with air and surface search radars, a fire control radar, an electro-optical sensor, and chaff/decoy dispensers.

Four MAN diesel engines will drive controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a top speed of 28 knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles.

The OPV will be used for missions such as anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, interdiction, naval gunfire support, search and rescue, counter-piracy and counter-drug trafficking patrols, special operations support, disaster relief, and fisheries enforcement.