Editor's Foreword

aircraft and SAM batteries to protect restructured
army formations.
Given the constrained budget environment, the
navy has decided against exercising its option to
acquire a fifth Valour-class (MEKO A-200) frigate,
opting instead to focus on the acquisition of six new
85m offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to contribute to a
more balanced surface fleet. Options are thought to
include procuring three fully equipped OPVs with
some out-of-area capability, together with three
vessels equipped mainly for inshore operations,
or alternatively three smaller 55m inshore patrol
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vessels that would enable junior officers to assume
command earlier than normal. Whatever the final
configuration, the vessels are intended primarily for
littoral patrol, surveillance, counter-smuggling and
fisheries protection, with the potential to undertake
mine countermeasures, surveys and general support
functions. As for construction, it is likely that the
vessels will be built locally, although a wider concept
being explored is the development of a core OPV
design which could be built in a number of African
countries, with each nation equipping and arming
the ships to meet its own particular requirements.
Sub-Saharan
Africa