The FPB 110 MKII fast patrol boat was designed and developed by French shipbuilding company OCEA to meet multiple mission requirements of navies and coast guard agencies across the world.

The vessel is intended to undertake maritime patrolling, protection, law enforcement, counter-piracy, and search-and-rescue missions in exclusive economic zones (EEZs). It can also be used to counter illegal fishing, smuggling, terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration.

FPB 110 MKII orders and deliveries

The Nigerian Navy placed an order with OCEA for two FPB 110 MKII fast patrol boats in December 2016. The ships have completed sea trials and are scheduled for delivery in 2018.

The vessels, named Nguru and Ekulu, will be used by the Nigerian Navy to counter the maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea and will also enhance the country’s natural resources, blue economy, and security.

The FPB 110 MKII ships ordered by Nigeria are based on the FPB 110 MKI platform, which was originally developed in the early-2000s to meet the multi-mission requirement of Kuwait. A total of ten vessels, which are fitted with waterjets, are operational with the Kuwait Coast Guard in various roles.

Design and features of OCEA FPB 110 MKII patrol boats

The FPB 110 MKII multi-purpose fast patrol boat incorporates a monohull design, which offers high performance and durability. The boat’s hull and superstructure are built using aluminium.

The vessel has a length of 35m, width of 7.1m, and draft of 1.7m, while it is manned by a crew of 11 members. The patrol boat can accommodate up to six personnel.

The ship is operated from the large navigation bridge located amidships, with an antenna mast on top of it.

A single 4.7m-long fibreglass Zodiac rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), featuring a deep-V seagoing hull with centre console steering, is carried at the stern to conduct law enforcement, transportation, and rescue duties in rough sea conditions.

It can be launched and retrieved using a Palfinger launch and recovery system installed at the stern.

Armament

The FPB 110 MKII multi-purpose patrol fast boats of the Nigerian Navy can be armed with two heavy machine guns to engage stationary and moving surface targets.

The ships can also be outfitted with a 20mm / 30mm naval cannon mounted on a remotely operated weapon station on the bow deck to provide high firepower against surface targets.

Navigation, observation and communications

The FPB 110 MKII vessel’s antenna mast is equipped with two Furuno navigation and surveillance radars to detect, acquire and track targets at sea, and various antennae to provide communication.

A Vigy Observer gyro-stabilised naval electro-optical multi-function system is also fitted to the antenna mast to provide observation and surveillance during the day and at night. It incorporates multiple optronic sensors such as a cooled mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) imager, as well as a TV camera, an automatic video tracking system and a laser rangefinder.

The observation system can identify, recognise and detect hostile targets within the maximum range of 16km.

Other naval equipment installed on the boats include searchlights, a global positioning system (GPS), chart plotters, loudspeaker, compass, and satellite communications (SATCOM).

Propulsion and performance of FPB 110 MKII patrol boat

The FPB 110 MKII fast patrol boat is powered by two MTU 16V2000 diesel engines driving two conventional fixed-pitch propellers. The engines develop a maximum power output of approximately 2,000kW each. The vessel is also fitted with two Caterpillar generator sets.

The patrol boat is capable of sailing at a maximum speed of 30kt. It can attain a maximum range of 900nm at 12kt speed and offers a maximum endurance of up to five days.