OPV-64

Royal Moroccan Navy Raïs Charkaoui OPV-64 patrol vessel.
Class overview
Name	OPV-64
Builders	Lorient Naval Industries currently STX France SA
Operators	Royal Moroccan Navy
Built	1994–1997
In service	1995–present
Completed	5
Active	5
General characteristics
Type	Offshore patrol vessel
Displacement	580  t (570 long tons) [1] or 650 t (640 long tons) [1]
Length	64 m (210 ft 0 in) [1]
Beam	11.42 m (37 ft 6 in) [1]
Draught	3 m (9.8 ft) [1]
Installed power	7.6 MW (10,200 hp) [1]
Propulsion	2 Wartsila Nohab 16V25 diesel engines 2 Leroy-Somer electric propulsors [1]
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) max [1]
Range	4,000  nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Endurance	maximum 20 days [1]
Complement	46 (incl. 6 officers) + 8 spare berths [1]
Sensors & processing systems	Surface search: Decca Bridgemaster 2000 Navigation: Decca 2090 ARPA Sonar: Commercial fathometer [1]
Armament	1 × 40 mm Bofors cannon 2 × 20 mm Oerlikon AA cannons 2 × twin 14.5 mm guns [1]

OPV-64 ^[2] is a type of offshore patrol vessel based on a Leroux & Lotz patrol vessel concept and designed for the needs of the Royal Moroccan Navy, ordered in late 1993. ^[3]

Definition of the requirements

The main propulsion systems are two Wartsila Nohab 16V25 diesel engines with 7.6 MW (10,200 hp) power produced. A secondary propulsion system is fitted separately from the main engines and used for economic mode or emergencies. ^[1] The main mission is the surveillance of Moroccan exclusive economic zone and control of fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, with secondary roles including detecting illegal immigration, smuggling and drug trafficking and supporting counter terrorism and search and rescue patrols along Moroccan coasts.

Equipment

The armament was recycled from decommissioned warships and from Royal Moroccan Army's inventory, later added after reception of the ships between 1995 and 1997 in Moroccan naval bases. ^[1]

Original armament:

• 2 x 20 mm

Added after reception:

• 1 x Bofors 40 mm
• 4 x (2 twin) KPV 14.5 mm
• 1 x Oerlikon 20 mm

Ships

Pennant no.	Name	Launched	Commissioned	Status	Note
P-318	Raïs Bargach	9 Oct 1995	14 Dec 1995	In service	[4]
P-319	Raïs Britel	19 Mar 1996	14 May 1996	In service	[4]
P-320	Raïs Charkaoui	26 Sep 1996	15 Dec 1996	In service	[4]
P-321	Raïs Maaninou	7 Mar 1997	21 May 1997	In service	[4]
P-322	Raïs Al Mounastiri	15 Oct 1997	17 Dec 1997	In service	[4]

References

1. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World:15th edition
2. STX Europe main page
3. "Jane's Navy International". Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
4. GlobalSecurity – Moroccan Navy equipment