Naval Group delivers 3rd OPV 87 to Argentina

OPV 87 A.R.A. Storni, the third of four Argentine Navy offshore patrol vessels (OPV) built by Naval Group, was delivered on October 13 in the presence of Captain Santiago Villemur, the Argentine Navy’s representative in France.

A.R.A. Storni has been delivered to the Argentine Navy today in Concarneau in the presence of Captain Santiago Villemur, representative of the Argentinian Navy in France, who also handed over the commandment of the ship to Commander Óscar Latorre.

This delivery was carried out by teams from Naval Group and Kership, a joint-venture between Piriou and Naval Group. It is part of the contract signed by Naval Group with Argentina in 2019 for the delivery of four multi-mission patrol vessels. A.R.A. Bouchard (former L’Adroit) was delivered in December 2020 and A.R.A Piedrabuena on April 13th this year.

With the delivery of A.R.A. Storni, the program keeps progressing as scheduled to conclude with the delivery of the last vessel scheduled for April 2022. A 44-people crew from the Argentine Navy has been trained in the operation and maintenance of the vessel.

This third patrol vessel of the series acquired by the Argentine Navy offers the same assets and features as those of the A.R.A. Piedrabuena. Better armed and motorised than the Bouchard, equipped with an active stabilisation system and a bow thruster, it is also Ice proven, i.e. adapted to navigation in the cold waters of Antarctica.

Jean-Claude Flandrin, Program Director, said: “The delivery of this third patrol vessel marks a very important milestone for the program, which was achieved on time despite the health crisis that has marked the last two years. The teams are still mobilised to finalize the training of the crew that will leave for Argentina with the vessel. Once the training is completed, we will concentrate our efforts towards the delivery of the last of the series, which was launched last month”.

Olivier Michel, Sales Director for Latin America, added: “We are proud of the trust that the Argentine Navy has placed in Naval Group for the supply of these latest-generation multipurpose vessels that will enable the country to carry out its sovereign missions. This delivery is another demonstration of Naval Group’s and its partners’ capacities and commitment towards its customers to respond to their operational needs.”

OPV 87, an innovative vessel

The Argentine offshore patrol vessels benefit from innovations developed by Naval Group and proven by the French Navy, which has operated L’Adroit in several oceans for six years for multiple maritime security operations, alone or in cooperation:

Very high endurance and excellent sea-worthiness;

• Very high endurance and excellent sea-worthiness;
• A 360° visibility from the bridge and a unique mast for a panoramic radar coverage;
• The rapid, safe and discrete deployment of intervention crafts launched by a double
• system of ramps at the stern of the patrol vessel.

This range of ships also benefits from Naval Group’s expertise in information and command systems, allowing for extensive surveillance of the maritime space and the detection of suspicious behaviours. The A.R.A Storni is equipped with the POLARIS® system and NiDL® tactical data link system, specifically developed by Naval Group for state action missions at sea and sea-proven by the French Navy.

Technical features

The Offshore Patrol Vessel is able to stay on high seas for more than three weeks, to reach a speed of 20 knots and to accommodate a helicopter. Implemented by a reduced crew of 40 members, it is also able to accommodate about twenty extra passengers.

• Length: 87 meters
• Beam: 14 meters
• Displacement: 1,650 tons
• Max. speed: over 20 knots
• Accommodation: 59 (crew and passengers)
• Endurance: > 7,000 nautical miles
• Boarding capacity: two light crafts of 9 meters and one 10 ton class helicopter

Check out Naval Library App to find out more about the specifications of the OPV 87.