As Novac/Jozo Vrdoljak writes on the 18th of November, 2020, keels for new builds (novogradnje) 543 and 544 have been laid at Brodosplit, the last two ships from the series of coast guard vessels, contracted for the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia.
The 43.16-metre-long and 8-metre-wide coast guard vessels will be equipped with basic weapons used by all coastguards across the world, namely a 30-millimeter-diameter automatic cannon and two 12.7-mm manned machine guns, as well as 4 hand-held portable anti-aircraft missile systems.
''During the visit of President Zoran Milanovic, we thanked him for supporting this Croatian industry and for promoting it abroad, but we'd also like to thank the Croatian Government for finding a way to continue financing the coast guard vessel project. This ship is the most complex product that Croatian industry can produce. The ships we make for export contain 70 percent Croatian components, and from the really favourable price at which we build these coast guard vessels, 45 percent of the amount is returned immediately or in a short time to the state budget,'' stated Tomislav Debeljak, President of Brodosplit.
''For new builds 541 and 542, the production of the bow parts of the steel hull was completed after the keels were laid back at the beginning of September this year. Today's laying of the keels for new builds 543 and 544 is a continuation of the project of building ships for a series of coast guard vessels for Croatia, which will place the Croatian coast guard alongside the most modern coast guards of the world,'' said Leonardo Martinovic, the director of this construction project.
The ships from the series will be equipped with protection against nuclear-biological-chemical action with a special system for NBK filter ventilation and sealing of ship's working and living spaces. They will be equipped with a stern ramp and a 7.7-metre-long rigid hull sailing boat for 6 crew members with a propulsion diesel engine that provides speeds of 40 knots and a sailing autonomy of 60 NM.
The capacity of the ships is 17 people with a sailing autonomy of 10 days. They are very capable of pursuit and achieve speeds of up to 29 knots, which are provided by the main marine engines of 2 x 2525 kW.
A special feature is the optimisation of marine systems where with one fuel injection they can sail 1000 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots. Optimised fuel consumption due to the innovative hull shape design and excellent sailing properties allows for very efficient use, resulting in significant savings compared to similar ships. With the introduction into operational use of the coast guard vessel series, the project of modernisation and development of new capabilities of the Croatian Navy will continue.
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