DCNS promotes Gowind® OPVs in South Africa, attends AAD defense show

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Naval Defense News - France
 
 
 
DCNS promotes Gowind® OPVs in South Africa, attends AAD defense show
 
The Gowind® OPV L'Adroit visits Cape Town from 5 to 9 September 2012 during a long deployment off Africa, providing an opportunity for DCNS to promote the Gowind® range and demonstrate the operational value of the vessels and their cutting-edge technologies. DCNS will also exhibit at Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2012 in South Africa from 19 to 23 September.

DCNS's presence in South Africa is part of an ongoing partnership with local shipbuilder Nautic Africa (formerly KND) covering promotion, construction and sales of the Gowind® ocean patrol vessel (OPV). This type of arrangement is key to DCNS's ability to compete in export markets, and an operational presence in South Africa helps the Group understand the needs of the South African Navy and meet its local shipbuilding requirements.

"The Gowind® is the most technologically advanced of all the vessels proposed for the South African OPV programme," said James Fisher, CEO of Nautic Africa. "We're convinced that DCNS is the Navy's ideal partner in this highly competitive marketplace and that the DCNS OPV is the best platform for naval missions in Africa."
     
The Gowind® OPV L'Adroit visits Cape Town from 5 to 9 September 2012 during a long deployment off Africa, providing an opportunity for DCNS to promote the Gowind® range and demonstrate the operational value of the vessels and their cutting-edge technologies. DCNS will also exhibit at Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2012 in South Africa from 19 to 23 September.
L'Adroit Offshore Patrol Vessel
(picture: DCNS)
     
(video: DCNS)
     
The L'Adroit put in to Cape Town from 5 to 9 September in order to meet local South African delegations. The visit includes demonstrations at sea to showcase the vessel's impressive capabilities under real operational conditions. "During previous stopovers, navies around the world have been impressed by L'Adroit and recognised the operational benefits of the Gowind® range," said Marc Maynard, head of Gowind program department. "We're looking forward to working with South Africa to meet its requirements for offshore patrol vessels."

The flagship of DCNS's ambition to win a larger share of the markets for small- and medium-displacement surface ships, the Gowind® OPV L'Adroit is a major industrial and technological achievement. Designed and built in less than 24 months, it is packed with state-of-the-art technologies – commando boat launch ramps, a panoramic bridge and enclosed mast for 360° visibility, and the Polaris® mission system — for emerging maritime safety and security missions, including fisheries surveillance, interdiction of trafficking, environmental protection, humanitarian support and search & rescue.

DCNS will also be at Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2012 in Tshwane, South Africa, from 19 to 23 September. AAD 2012 is a chance for DCNS to showcase its expertise in this key export market and to meet key players in the sector. The DCNS exhibit will feature the Gowind® OPV L'Adroit, Gowind Combat, Mistral 140, Polaris mission system and F21 torpedo.