Offshore Patrol Vessels Africa 2015 &raquo; Additional Content Download

Piracy in Somalia: Ending the Threat, Rebuilding a Nation [Executive Summary]

The frequent threats of piracy attacks in Somalia has surged from 2005 to 2011 and it reached its peak in 2011 with a high 243 incidents. The international community of armed forces, coast guards and the rest, have mobilised to combat the issue alltogether. With their collaborative and effective measures, the incident reported in 2012 were plunged down to 63 attacks. Click here to download an exlcusive report, produced by the World Bank on the measures and strategies adopted to eradicate piracy from the Horn of Africa. [Executive Summary]

Nigerian Navy Chief Laments “ Myriad of Maritime Threats” in Gulf of Guinea

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbeche Ogbor, the Nigerian Navy’s Chief of Policy and Plans (CCPLANS) superintends and coordinates Nigerian Navy (NN) programmes, plans and policies including transformational activities. Defence IQ recently spoke with Rear Admiral Ogbor to understand more about the maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea and how the Nigerian Navy was meeting these challenges. Click here to download the interview.

Audio Podcast: Vice Admiral DJ Ezeoba, Nigerian Army on maritime security

Download this rare podcast delivered by Vice Admiral DJ Ezeoba, Chief of Naval Staff and Rear Admiral AA Osinowo, Director Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the Nigerian Navy. Delivered at OPV Middle East 2012, both admirals explain the complex and groundbreaking efforts the Nigerian Navy is undertaking to reduce the maritime security problem in the Gulf of Guinea. Hear how industry is affected, what is expected of oil and gas majors and Admiral Ezeoba’s decision to launch OPV Africa in August 2013.

Combating piracy: Nigerian Admiral speaks

In this video presentation, Admiral Os Ibrahim, Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria, discusses the country’s OPV strategy and offers an insight into how to combat piracy.

Game Changer: A Maritime Security Review Article

An article shedding light on the new laws passed in Nigeria governing the private maritime security sector.

Heavy Regulation Ahead: A Maritime Security Review article

An article on the new changes in maritime security policies in Nigeria and the role of the Nigerian Navy in regulating the industry.

South Africa puts out call for OPV design

The South African Navy (SAN) has confirmed that it will be building new Offshore Patrol Vessels, having requested options from the international defence industry. The programme, known as Project Biro, released a Request for Information in 2011 and is expected to issue a Request for Quotations before the end of 2012. It includes plans to also acquire Inshore Patrol Vessels. Recent reports suggest that the final roll out will consist of eight OPVs and six IPVs, replacing the current three T-Craft IPVs and three remaining strike vessels. In a nod to modernisation efforts, the new OPVs are expected to carry Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. Taking the same approach as other BRICs countries undergoing modernisation and expansion at this time, the ships will be built indigenously, ensuring that the South African economy benefits directly from the project and that the ability to upgrade the vessels over the coming 30 to 40 years exists on home soil. According to defenceWeb, Rear Admiral

India signs off new OPVs

The Indian Coast Guard has announced approval to acquire six new Offshore Patrol Vessels to enhance its maritime interests as the country continues to modernise and beef up its national defence capabilities. Budget for the Coast Guard has spiked in the past year as the threat alert of terrorism and piracy remains high. The ICG expects to be at a strength of 200 ships and 100 aircraft by 2018. The new OPVs will be built indigenously by PSU Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and will have helicopter deployment capability. The Coast Guard currently has several Vishwast class OPVs, as well as Sankalp and Samar ‘advanced’ OPVs. The Indian Navy has six active South Korean Sukanya-class OPVs, the same class of vessel in service with Sri Lankan forces. Meanwhile, India-based company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) is providing the Mauritius Coast Guard with a new OPV to be deployed from 2014 at a cost of £36.4 million, joint funded with India as part of a 2007 deal

UK to build two Offshore Patrol Vessels with £150 million investment?

The UK government is considering a £150 million deal to build two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), according to The News. Defence ministers are thought to be weighing up the proposal, discussing not only the strategic capability that the OPVs will provide but the financial implications and the benefits it will bring to UK industry too. If the plans go ahead it could secure the future of the shipbuilding industry in Portsmouth following the completion of the QEC aircraft carriers in 2014. Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North and a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee, told the newspaper: “I’m happy to say this is an option that’s been looked at and I’m pushing hard for this to happen. The fact that this document is being discussed between the department and the Treasury is a good indication that it’s a sensible document.” The market for OPVs is booming and just last month BAE Systems delivered the first of