Both Offshore Patrol Vessels are “zero mile” vessels and were purchased from Spain after lengthy negotiations.
The minister of National defense, javier garciaannounced this Monday at a press conference that his portfolio had acquired two “zero mile” vessels of the Offshore Patrol Vessels type (IPO) by 82 million dollarswith the intention of defending maritime sovereignty through intensifying patrols in national waters.
“These ships will have the mission of regaining control of maritime space”said García about the boats manufactured by the Spanish shipyard Cardama, which have a maximum speed of 24 knots and a capacity for about 80 crew members.
“Today the control of the maritime space was limited by the deterioration and age of the existing ships in the country,” García added. The government portfolio decided to take over the vessels for technical reasons and based on the requirements requested from the company itself. The national armysuch as the need to have weapons, a heliport, as well as other conditions for compliance with the mission of caring for natural resources and the repression of illegal fishing.
Uruguay will have the two IPOs in 2025
The vessels were purchased using funds set aside in the National Development Corporation (DNC) and in General Incomeand They will be delivered in the course of the year 2025.
The offer from the Spanish shipyard was the lowest cost, of a total of eight received from different countries in the international tender, and also positioned itself as the faster delivery compared to its competitors.
OPVs are modern and economical multipurpose vessels, which have a high degree of flexibility to carry out tasks at sea. For its operation and performance, at least 50 crew members are required.
In addition to the minister, the undersecretary of the portfolio, Rivera Elgue; the general director of the Secretariat, Fabián Martínez; the Commander in Chief of the Navy, Jorge Wilson, and the Director of Naval Material of the Navy, Héctor Magliocca.
Source: Ambito
