The French company OCEA is going to build boats for the state border guard service of Ukraine. In total, 10 hulls of future ships are in the process of construction.
The construction of boats is accompanied by Ukrainian border guards. Ukrainian sailors got the first hull, FPB 98 MKI, in mid-February 2021. It is planned to be launched before the end of this year.
Special systems, mechanisms and devices are being installed on another 5 patrol vessels.
In addition, in 2022, Ukrainian border guards will learn from the experience of the French: they are sent to OCEA for crew training activities. In France, employees of the state border guard service will be taught how to properly use and maintain new boats in general and will get detailed information on their individual parts. Now the corresponding crews and groups are being trained in the Ukrainian department.
In November 2019, the Ministry of internal affairs of Ukraine and France signed an agreement according to which 20 FPB 98 MKI patrol boats will be built for border guards.
The maneuverable vessel is over 30 meters long and is made of lightweight aluminum, which allows sailing at speeds of up to 30 knots for 1200 nautical miles. The construction cost is 136.5 million euros. According to preliminary information, ultra-modern sea vessels are equipped with powerful optoelectronic surveillance systems. Each will be equipped with RIB boats and weapons. They will be used to protect the water state border of Ukraine and search and rescue operations.
