Philippines to procure 40 fast patrol boats from France's OCEA Group
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| The FPB-110 Mk. II design as delivered to the Nigerian Navy. Photo c/o OCEA. |
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has formally selected French shipbuilder OCEA to build and deliver 40 new fast patrol boats.
The acquisition of fast patrol boats is part of the Philippines’ effort to improve and strengthen its maritime security and maritime law enforcement capabilities in light of increasing grey zone and harassment activities from China.
It is believed that OCEA will be producing and delivering a mix of their FPB 110 and FPB 98 designs, both of which are configured for littoral operations.
The FPB 110 is 35 meters long, has a crew of 17 personnel, a maximum speed of 35 knots, and a maximum range of 700 nautical miles at 12 knots.
Meanwhile the smaller FPB 98 is 32 meters long, has a crew of 16 personnel, a maximum speed of 35 knots, and a maximum range of 1,200 nautical miles at 12 knots.
Both can be armed by 25 or 30mm automatic cannons and machine guns although no confirmation has been made on its final fit-out.
Previously it was reported by Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines that the proposal from OCEA includes the construction of 20 units in its shipyard in France, and another 20 in a future OCEA shipyard in the Philippines. OCEA already has an office in the Philippines since 2021, and is eyeing to build a shipyard in the Philippines to respond to requirements from the Philippines and cater for the Indo-Pacific region.
Financing is believed to be provided by the French Government as part of their Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines.
OCEA has previously delivered an 83-meter offshore patrol vessel based on their OPV-270 design, as well as four fast patrol boats based on the FPB-72 design.
OCEA has also been recently awarded a maintenance contract by the Philippine Coast Guard for supporting the maintenance requirements for the above-mentioned ships, which was signed on 11 April 2025.
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
April 22, 2025
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