The government of Mozambique has commissioned three new HS132 military vessels from French company Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie, with which the Mozambican government has an agreement for the supply of several vessels, according to the Navy Recognition website.

The three speedboats recently ordered are in addition to three vessels of the same type that the Mozambican government acquired from the French shipyard in September 2013, as part of a contract worth some 200 million euros, which also included supplying three Ocean Eagle 43 patrol ship and 24 trawlers.

Citing sources close to Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie (CMM), the website said the company intends to deliver the last of the three speedboats initially ordered by this summer, and that Mozambique should start receiving the remainder from the end of 2015, at a rate of one every two months.

HS132 naval vessels are 32.2 metres long and 6.4 metres wide, capable of a speed of up to 43 knots and have a maximum range of 800 nautical miles (12 knots) or minimum of 580 miles (33 knots).

Their surveillance radar include electro-optical sensors that transmit images and other data via satellite and can optionally be equipped with a 20mm cannon and two machine 12.7 mm guns, among other weapons that area “ideal for missions to combat piracy, terrorism and smuggling.”

The French website also the cost of the three vessels may vary between 25 million and 30 million euros.

In a statement released late last week, CMM said the first Ocean Eagle 43 patrol ship for the Mozambique was launched recently and is now in its testing phase, and so can be delivered to the Mozambican authorities in coming months.

By the end of 2014, the company had delivered at least five of the 24 fishing vessels ordered, which will be operated by the state tuna fishing company Ematum. (macauhub/MZ)