France’s Ocea delivers more FPB 98 patrol boats to Algerian Navy

The Algerian Navy has commenced taking delivery of around 10 new FPB 98 patrol boats from France’s Ocea, with the second one departing St Nazaire, France, for Algeria.

According to Mer et Marine, the vessel (El Safi, 332) was seen at St Nazaire on February 14 after sailing from its production site at Les Sables d’Olonne. The first (331) was delivered recently. This is Ocea’s second contract from Algeria for FPB 98 vessels. Earlier, the French shipyard already delivered 21 FPB 98 vessels between 2008 and 2012. According to Ocea (via Defence Web), the FPB 98 is 32 metres long and six metres wide, has a crew of 14 and a top speed of 20-35 knots with a range of 1,200 nautical miles at 12 knots. Armament can include a 30 mm cannon – El Safi was seen with a weapon station on the vessel’s bow. A rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) can be launched from the back of the vessel – Algeria’s new FPB 98s carry a single RHIB.

Ocea has sold a number of FPB 98 boats around the world, including to Benin, Suriname and Nigeria.

Also read: Algeria’s 1st comm. satellite Alcomsat-1 records multiple successes