CMN NAVAL delivered the last batch of 58 HSI-32 Interceptor fast patrol boats (FPB) to the Saudi Ministry of Defence. The delivery ceremony took place February 28, 2023 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. In April 2018, Saudi company Zamil Offshore Services concluded an agreement worth 480 million dollars with French shipyard CMN for the construction of 39 HSI32 interceptors for the Saudi Naval Forces. According to the agreement, 21 vessels are set to be built by CMN in Cherbourg, France, and the remaining 18 are to be assembled at the facilities of Zamil Offshore Services in Saudi Arabia. The HSI-32 fast will contribute to the protection of the Kingdom’s vital and strategic interests, along with the various units of the Eastern Fleet.
HSI 32 is a fast interceptor vessel designed and built by French shipyard CMN, a part of Privinvest Shipbuilding Group, supports a wide range of missions conducted by the navies and special operations forces. HSI 32 is part of CMN’s DV Interceptor family, which also comprises Interceptor DV15 RWS ultra-high-speed interceptor. The vessel is designed to conduct sea strike operations, search and rescue (SAR), maritime security, sea safety, convoy protection, sea policing, anti-piracy, protection of vulnerable vessels and offshore installations, and control of illegal immigration, trafficking and smuggling. It has the ability to conduct combined operations with aircraft and coastal surveillance systems.
The lightweight and agile Interceptor HSI 32 vessel is based on the hard chine Deep Vee planning hull, which provides high-speed navigation in planning mode. It has an overall length of 32.2m, overall beam of 7m and maximum draught of 1.4m. It can accommodate a crew of 12, while up to 64 personnel can be carried for search and rescue operations. Its hull and superstructures are made of aluminium. The vessel is classified by Bureau Veritas classification society. The vessel’s propulsion system consists of three diesel engines, two main generators and three waterjets. The vessel can carry 21m³ of fuel and 1m³ of fresh water. The propulsion system provides a top speed of 43k. The vessel has a range of about 800nmi at a speed of 12k and of 580nmi at 33k.
The HSI 32 watercraft is equipped with one 20mm remote-controlled gun turret as well as two 12.7mm side guns to protect the crew from speedboats and asymmetric threats. The command and control (C2) system installed in the vessel ensures safe and efficient operation at sea. A data link coupled with satcom (satellite communications) performs transmission and reception of imagery and data. The vessel’s wheelhouse performs planning and execution of missions and provides the crew with all-round 360° view. A 4.8m-long outboard rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) can be deployed through a launch-and-recovery ramp at the stern of the ship.
