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Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has successfully completed construction on two FCS 5009 patrol vessels in South Africa.
Another Damen vessel of the same class is currently operational with the Cape Verdean Coast Guard.
Damen Africa sales manager Friso Visser said: "The versatile FCS 5009 patrol boats have consistently shown themselves to be an ideal solution for patrolling an exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"They have low operational costs, are very fuel efficient, have a competitive purchase price and, crucially, are easy to maintain.
"Overall, they provide a reasonable total cost of ownership, making them attractive to countries that have a requirement to patrol an EEZ."
The two new vessels are designed to be equipped with Sea Rogue weaponry, which includes a system with a 20mm cannon forward of the wheelhouse and two 12.7mm Browning guns.
Capable of being operated by a hand controller, the Sea Rogue boasts an accurate target-tracking feature and can be installed in collaboration with manufacturer Reutech.
DSCT chairman Sam Montsi said: "The FCS 5009 is deliverable in two formats. It can be either a fast crew supply ship or a security patrol vessel.
"They are also the first in their class to be outfitted with MTU engines that offer a lighter weight-to-power ratio for increased speed."
Image: A Damen FCS 5009 patrol vessel. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.
