naval-forces-focus-french-technology

33Mer et Marine2014-2015 « INTERNATIONAL SHOWS Patrol vessels «RPB 33Raidco Marine deliveredthe first-of-class RPB33 patrol boat, Ferlo, tothe Senegalese Navy inSeptember 2013. Barelythree months later, thenew ship had a chance toprove its operational valuewhen a foreign vesselengaged in illegal fishing activitieswas boarded and escorted to port inJanuary 2014. Togo and Côte d’Ivoirehave also chosen Raidco Marine’s newpatrol boat, ordering two and threeunits respectively, all delivered in 2014.The RPB 33 is specially designed tomeet evolving mission requirementsin maritime surveillance andintervention. With a high-performancecommunications suite, identificationsystems and a 6.2m RHIB that can belaunched and recovered via a sternramp, the RPB 33 is exceptionally wellequipped for this type of vessel. Thebridge atop the superstructure offers apanoramic view for the crew to navigate,perform command and control tasks,supervise RHIB operations, maintainsituational awareness and monitorsystem performance. The RPB 33 canbe equipped with a foredeck-mountedcannon. A small-calibre high-firingrateminigun can also be installedon the boat, in addition to non-lethalweapon options such as a long-rangeacoustic device (LRAD) or a laserilluminator coupled with a stabilisedvideo camera.The all-aluminium superstructure sitsatop a hull available in either glass/resin composite or steel. The vesselssupplied to the Togolese Navy, whichare known as PHM 33 patrol boats, aresteel-hulled. «© GUILLAUME PLISSON» DIMENSIONS (m): 33.7 x 6.5» POWER: 1,600 to 2,800 kW» SPEED: 22 to 30 kts» RANGE: 1,500 NM at 15 kts» ACCOMMODATION: 10 (+7)» WEAPONS:1 x 20 to 30 mm1 x 12.7 mm© GUILLAUME PLISSON