The Tunisian Navy has received another 27 meter long locally built patrol boat, and will be getting a locally built 51 meter offshore patrol vessel after its manufacture was approved by Defence Minister Ibrahim Bartaji.
The fifth locally built Istiklal class vessel ‘Dougga’ (P214) was launched by Bartaji on 7 July at the port of Sfax. Seven vessels are being built under a partnership between the government and local private shipbuilding company Societe de Construction Industrielle et Navale (SCIN), the Tunisian Ministry of Defence said.
Also revealed by Bartaji was approval for the construction of a 51 meter long patrol vessel (Kairouan class). He said this will be a good size vessel suitable for longer patrols. Conceptual graphics of the new vessel showed it lightly armed with a remotely operated cannon/heavy machinegun, and waring pennant number PSM 401. It will have a length of 51 meters and maximum speed of 20 knots, with a cruising speed of 15 knots. Range will be approximately 2 000 nautical miles.