PIRIOU, DCNS and KERSHIP have been awarded the contract to provide the French Navy with four Offshore Support and Assistance Vessels (BSAH), along with the associated maintenance. The French Navy intends to use the BSAHs for the deployment of forces for State operations at sea.
The contract was awarded by The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to KERSHIP, a joint company created by PIRIOU and DCNS to ensure the management of the programme. The contract includes a firm order for two vessels and an option for two further vessels.
PIRIOU will ensure the design and construction of the vessels, which are characterised by a high degree of versatility and autonomy of 30 days. DCNS, in its capacity as a co-contractor for military design studies, will supply the on-board communications systems and will be responsible for the Through-Life Support (TLS) over a period of up to five years.
