“Argentina Receives Its Final OPV 87: A Milestone from Naval Group!”

The final one of the four Argentinian Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), OPV 87 A.R.A. Contraalmirante Cordero, has been handed over today (13 April) to the Argentine Navy. The transfer and command handover ceremony for the last vessel in the series signifies the successful conclusion of a remarkable program.

A.R.A. Contraalmirante Cordero has been officially delivered to the Argentine Navy today in Concarneau with the attendance of Francisco Cafiero, Secretary for International Defence Affairs at the Argentine Ministry of Defence, Vice Admiral Enrique Antonio Traina, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Argentine Navy, alongside Alain Guillou, EVP International Development at Naval Group. This event is part of the contract established between Naval Group and Argentina in 2019, entailing the provision of four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).

The A.R.A. Contraalmirante Cordero is the final vessel of this series, and its handover signifies the triumph of a program that adhered to all its timelines: the A.R.A. Bouchard (previously L’Adroit) was handed over in December 2019, two months earlier than anticipated, while the second and third Offshore Patrol Vessels A.R.A Piedrabuena and A.R.A Storni were delivered in April and October 2021, aligning perfectly with the initial schedule.

This achievement was made feasible through the strong collaboration between Naval Group, Kership, and Piriou, who partnered closely with the Argentine Navy. The remarkable customer satisfaction rate, recorded at 97%, attests to the commendable execution of this initiative.

“We recognize that delivering 4 vessels within 3 years, alongside training the crews and providing the requisite logistics services posed a significant challenge. Our heartfelt thanks go to all the men and women of Naval Group and its industrial collaborators who dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to accomplish this objective. These vessels are already playing a vital role in safeguarding Argentina’s sovereign interests by empowering the Argentine Armada to fulfill its maritime missions.”
Captain Santiago Villemur, representative of the Argentinian Navy in France

“It is with immense pride and heartfelt emotion that we are handing over the final vessel of the series to Argentina on the exact date stipulated in the contract while witnessing the Argentine flag being raised in Brittany for the fourth occasion. The success of this endeavor is a collective one and stems from the excellence of the relationship established with the Argentine Armada, whose high standards and confidence have driven our teams to fulfill our client’s expectations to the fullest. It is also a product of a constructive and innovative industrial partnership among the teams of Naval Group, Kership, and Piriou.”
Stéphanie Giroud, Program Director at Naval Group

OPV 87, a groundbreaking and sea-tested vessel

The Argentine Offshore Patrol Vessels incorporate innovations developed by Naval Group and proven through the operations of the French Navy, which has utilized L’Adroit in various oceans for six years conducting multiple maritime security operations, both independently and collaboratively. The three patrol vessels from this series built in Concarneau possess the same assets and characteristics as those of the A.R.A. Bouchard. Numerous enhancements have been integrated to cater closely to the requirements of the Argentine Navy. More robustly armed and motorized than the Bouchard, it is equipped with an active stabilization system and a bow thruster, and is also ice-capable, adept for navigation in the frigid waters of Antarctica. They provide:

• Exceptional endurance and outstanding seaworthiness;
• 360° visibility from the bridge and a unique mast for panoramic radar coverage;
• Rapid, safe, and discreet deployment of intervention crafts via a dual ramp system at the stern of the patrol vessel.

This fleet also benefits from Naval Group’s expertise in information and command systems, enabling extensive surveillance of the maritime domain and detection of suspicious activities. The A.R.A Contraalmirante Cordero is equipped with the POLARIS® system and NiDL® tactical data link system, specifically devised by Naval Group for state missions at sea and validated through operations by the French Navy.

Technical Specifications

The Offshore Patrol Vessel is designed to remain at sea for over three weeks, achieve speeds of 20 knots, and accommodate a helicopter. Operated by a reduced crew of 40 personnel, it can also host an additional twenty passengers.

• Length: 87 meters
• Beam: 14 meters
• Displacement: 1,650 tons
• Maximum Speed: exceeding 20 knots
• Accommodation: 59 (crew and passengers)
• Endurance: > 7,000 nautical miles
• Boarding Capacity: two light crafts of 9 meters and one 10-ton class helicopter