The Ministry of Defense of Montenegro and the French shipbuilding company Kership today announced the signing of a contract for the supply of two OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels).
On the occasion of the Euronaval trade show, the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense and the shipbuilding company Kership signed a contract for the construction of two OPVs, in the presence of Mr. Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces and Mr. Dragan Krapovic, Minister of Defense of Montenegro. The project falls within the scope of the defense agreement signed last April by the two countries, and will be supported by the French defense procurement agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement). This project represents the milestone in cooperation between French and Montenegrin Ministries of Defence.
This procurement will significantly enhance the strategic capabilities of the Montenegrin Navy. The OPV-60M is designed to perform a wide range of missions, both military – protection of strategic infrastructures, border control, anti-piracy, special forces projection – and civilian – Search and Rescue, anti-pollution, humanitarian aid… which are particularly important for Montenegro, the gateway to the Adriatic Sea.
With two new OPV-60M patrol vessels, Montenegro will better protect its national interests at the sea, as well as improve its abilities for contributing to NATO’s collective efforts.
Minister Dragan Krapovic “It is a true pleasure to witness, together with minister Lecornu, the concrete outcome of the growing cooperation between Montenegro and France in the defence field. With two new patrol vessels, Montenegro will enhance its national navy copacities, and will be able to provide contribution to NATO missions and tasks”
Pascal Le Roy, CEO “We are very pleased to begin this cooperation with Montenegro, and to put the know-how of Kership’s teams at the service of the Montenegrin Navy, whose strategic position in southern Europe we are well aware of.”
Construction of the two vessels is due to start in a few weeks’ time at Kership’s Lanester shipyard, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
