ARMAMENTS

On Wednesday 3/11 the Nigerian Navy signed a contract with the Turkish company Dearsan Shipyard for the purchase of two warships. These ships are Offshore Patrol Vessels 76 (OPVs). The vessels are expected to be delivered within 37 months. 

In his remarks, Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Chief of the Nigerian Navy, said that the country’s Armed Forces are being strengthened according to a strategic plan. He also said there was a need to fight piracy and other threats at sea, and spoke of the need to create a multinational force operating in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Turkish proposal met the economic and operational standards set by the country’s Navy, which needed vessels to patrol in peacetime, capable of responding to crises and naval warfare. 

OPV 76 Technical characteristics:

• Length: 76.80 m
• Beam: 11 m
• Displacement: 2.90 m
• Weight: 1100 t
• Maximum speed: 28 knots
• Range: 3000 nautical miles
• Crew: 43 

The vessels’ armament includes 76mm Leonardo Super Rapid Guns and 40mm Leonardo Light Naval Guns, 2 12.7mm Stabilized Automatic Machine Guns, 2 12.7mm Manuel Use Machine Guns and 2 squadrons of SIMBAD RC anti-aircraft missiles.

With information from: Nigerian Navy, Daersen Shipyard, Naval Post.

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