Home Americas Argentina welcomes first French-built OPV

Argentina welcomes first French-built OPV

ARA Bouchard
Photo: Argentine Navy

The Argentine Navy has welcomed ARA Bouchard, the first of four offshore patrol vessels that are being delivered to the South American country by French shipbuilder Naval Group.

Bouchard arrived in Argentine waters after getting underway from Toulon, France, on January 15, after it was previously ceremonially transferred to the Argentine Navy in December last year.

The first unit was formerly known as Gowind-class corvette L’Adroit and was built by Naval Group in 2011 and leased to the French Navy.

The three follows-on ships that will be built under an agreement that was finalized in early 2019 will be newbuild ships, are scheduled to be delivered between 2021 and 2023.

The 87-meter ships will displace 1,650 tons and have a maximum stated speed of 21 knots. They have a flight deck that accommodate 5-ton helicopters and can deploy two RHIBs. The OPVs are armed with the Leonardo-built Marlin 30 mm weapon station.