First two of 39 patrol boats in series delivered to Royal Saudi Navy

French shipbuilder Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN) delivered two new 32- by seven-metre aluminium-hulled fast patrol boats in a series to the Royal Saudi Navy at its facilities in Cherbourg on Wednesday, July 24.

The vessels are the first two of an order for 39 units originally placed by the Saudi Ministry of Defence in April 2018. The first 21 vessels in the order will be constructed by CMN while the remainder will be assembled by Saudi shipbuilder Zamil Offshore Services.

Each patrol boat has a crew of 12, a maximum speed of 45 knots, and a range of 800 nautical miles at 12 knots. Armament includes a 20-millimetre autocannon mounted on a remote weapon station.

Missions will include maritime security, convoy escort, counter-terrorism, search and rescue (SAR), border patrol, and protection of offshore installations.