The Portuguese authorities has authorised plans to amass six new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) of Viana do Castelo-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) as a part of the Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa) Intersectoral Program for the Renewal of the Fleet (PIRE). These will probably be Viana do Castelo class vessels, of which 4 are already in service. The primary unit is scheduled to enter service in 2023, with the ultimate ship to be launched in 2029. The vessels will probably be tasked with a number of “coast guard” kind missions with different nationwide and European authorities.
The Viana do Castelo class is a category of offshore patrol vessels deliberate by and for the Portuguese Navy, because of the NPO2000 Venture (Navios de Patrulha Oceânica, for Oceanic Patrol Vessels), which are being constructed within the Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC). The eight to 10 vessels of this class, specifically designed to function within the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Two of those vessels of the model Navios de Combate à Poluição (NCP) will probably be fitted with anti-pollution methods — together with Quick Oil Restoration methods.
The brand new OPVs will probably be based mostly on the identical design of the sooner vessels within the class however with quite a few modifications. Most notably, they are going to incorporate multifunction options to extend utility in areas comparable to mine warfare, underwater surveillance, power projection, air pollution fight, and legislation enforcement. With the six new OPVs, Portugal will full the alternative of João Coutinho-class and Baptista de Andrade-class corvettes. The vessels will probably be geared up to hold out operations with helicopters and unmanned methods.
Armament consists of a 30 mm Oto Melara Marlin, it replaces one 40 mm L/60 turreted gun within the NRP Viana do Castelo, and two manned mounts to be armed with 7.62 mm mild machine weapons or two 12.7mm M2 Browning in addition to two launching methods for MK55 Mod 2 mines. The ships are designed to function unmanned methods and are geared up with a single Sagem SA Vigy 10 MKIII naval surveillance and commentary platform, three water cannons, and two inflexible inflatable boats. Every ship is able to accommodating a Tremendous Lynx MK95 mild helicopter.
