The formal steel-cutting and keel-laying ceremony, which marks the commencement of construction for two new patrol vessels for the Navy of the Armed Forces of Montenegro (AVCG), is scheduled for April 26 in Lorient, France.

These vessels, designated as OPV-60 M offshore patrol ships, are produced by the French company Kership. This investment, valued at 120 million euros, represents the most substantial procurement of military assets since Montenegro regained independence. The ships are anticipated to enter operational service with the Navy by early 2027. Notably, this amount excludes the costs for additional weaponry and systems (specifically missile and anti-submarine capabilities) that will be integrated later.

Attending the ceremony will be Defense Minister Dragan Krapović, alongside the Commander of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Frigate Captain Milan Jevtović, and various other military officials, including Acting Director General of the Logistics Directorate, Lieutenant Colonel Radovan Kostić, and Chief of Staff to the Defense Minister, Lieutenant Colonel Zelimir Pojuzina. They will be accompanied by the Montenegrin Ambassador to France, Ivan Ivanisevic.

In addition to Montenegrin officials, the event will host high-ranking members from the French Ministry of Defense and the French Ambassador to Montenegro, Anne-Marie Maske. Both Krapović and the president of the Kership corporation, Pascal Le Roy, will address the audience during the ceremony.

The contract with Kership for the construction of these two vessels was finalized in November of the previous year. At that time, the Ministry of Defense indicated that this project represents “the largest initiative within the scope of military cooperation between Montenegro and France,” which was legally underpinning by an intergovernmental defense cooperation agreement signed in April of last year.

“This procurement is being conducted based on a technical arrangement between the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro and the French Minister of Defense concerning two patrol ships, which was signed in July 2024,” announced the Ministry of Defense. This technical arrangement prompted the subsequent signing of a commercial contract with Kership at the Euronaval Defense Industry Fair in Paris in November 2024.

The acquisition faced criticism from former Chief of Staff Dragan Samardžić, who raised questions regarding the legality of the procurement and hinted at potential corruption. These claims were refuted by both the Ministry of Defense and the French Embassy in Podgorica.

Samardžić labeled the OPV-60 ships, akin to those previously constructed by Kership for the Senegalese Navy, as an unnecessary expenditure, asserting that they would incur high costs for both acquisition and ongoing maintenance.

“We procured 60-meter ships that, coupled with interest on loans, will cost approximately 70 million euros each, excluding VAT. The overall expenditure might reach 140 million euros, also excluding VAT, and these vessels lack missile systems, possessing only a single 40 mm cannon. This represents a gross misuse of public funds. I intentionally refrain from calling it ‘stupidity’, as it is not ignorance—those who negotiated with Kership under these conditions, without a tender process, had to be aware of the implications,” Samardžić stated.

He highlighted the Croatian coastal patrol ships (OOB-31) of the “Omiš” type as a better alternative, which are being constructed by the Brodosplit company in Split. Their operational deployment has faced delays due to technical issues, rising costs, and financial scandals associated with their acquisition. The OPV-60 M patrol vessels destined for Montenegro will measure 62 meters in length, with a displacement of 620 tons, a top speed of 22 knots, a 21-day maritime autonomy, and an operational range of 5,000 nautical miles. Additionally, they will be equipped with two fast intervention RHIB boats, each measuring 6.8 meters in length, as well as the capability to transport two standard TEU containers for various missions—from reconnaissance to support for diving operations or humanitarian aid, and response to sea pollution incidents.

Designed for prolonged patrol missions further offshore, these vessels are equipped for surveillance of territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone, with the potential to operate drones with vertical takeoff and landing. Specific details on the weaponry and sensors to be mounted on the new Montenegrin patrol vessels remain undisclosed, but they are expected to feature a 40 mm bow cannon and two remotely operated combat stations with 12.7 mm machine guns on either side of the bridge.

According to unofficial reports from “Vijesti”, after their construction in France, these ships will likely be outfitted with anti-ship and air-defense missile systems, potentially including Israeli “Spike” missiles or the French short-range air defense system, “Mistral”.

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