US shipbuilder Metal Shark has received a contract to deliver two aluminium patrol boats for the Peruvian Navy. Peruvian Navy officials announced the order from aboard the polar oceanographic research vessel B.A.P. Carrasco. Although the Peruvian Navy did not disclose the model of the vessels, the descriptions suggest that they will be Metal Shark’s 45 Defiant-class patrol boats. The two 15-meter patrol boats will be used for maritime surveillance, illegal fishing prevention and the protection of marine fauna. The vessels will be used by the Peruvian Coast Guard (Dirección General de CapitanÃas y Guardacostas de la Marina de Guerra: DICAPI), which reports to the navy.
According to Peruvian defense ministry information, the boats will have a minimum speed of 40 knots and will accommodate up to 9 passengers. They will be equipped with video surveillance systems, radars, GPS and UHF, VHF, HF and satellite communication systems. The reconfigurable boats are operationally proven as the builder has already delivered 45 Defiants to the US defense department. The 45 Defiant features a proven Metal Shark hull design that has been engineered and built to precise tolerances. To achieve its superior hull life rating of 30+ years, the vessel’s hull, deck, and pilothouse structure are composed entirely of heavy, welded plates of premium-grade 5086 aluminum alloy. The hull has been specifically balanced and will steer a straight course and turn predictably and safely without chine hooking or other unnatural turning behaviors
