BIRO Candidate Warship Arrives South Africa

The Spanish Navy OPV 'Relámpago', designed and built by Navantia, on show to the South African Navy in Capetown

Builders of this offshore patrol vessel, Spain's Navantia shipyard is a potential candidate for the BIRO procurement program, in which this ship can be adapted to the requirements of the South African Navy.

This OPV is a medium sized, multipurpose and high performance ship with great versatility regarding missions, enjoys a high level of system commonality with other Spanish Navy ships and has low acquisition and life cycle costs.

Relámpago's  main missions are:
    •    Protection and escort of other ships
    •    Control of maritime traffic
    •    Control and neutralisation of terrorist actions and piracy
    •    Operations against drug trafficking and the traffic in persons
    •    Maritime rescue and salvage operations
    •    Crisis situation support and humanitarian assistance
    •    Enforcing of fishing legislation
    •    Enforcing of environmental and anti-pollution legislation

Main features:
    •    Length Overall: 93.90 m.
    •    Maximum Beam: 14.20 m.
    •    Depth to Flight Deck: 7.20 m.
    •    Displacement at full load: 2,575 t.
    •    Scantling draught: 4.4 m.
    •    Maximum speed: 21 knots
    •    Autonomy (at 15 kn): 8,000 miles
    •    Crew: 35 + 35 (other personnel)