France took an important step in renewing its offshore patrol fleet by launching, on February 5, 2026, the Trolley de Prévaux, the first ship of the new Patrouilleur Hauturier (PH) class.
Built by the PIRIOU shipyard in Concarneau, the vessel inaugurates a series of seven ships ordered by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), with delivery to the Brest fleet scheduled for April 2027.
The program involves a consortium formed by the PIRIOU, CMN, and SOCARENAM shipyards, while Naval Group is responsible for the design and the combat and management systems. Two more units are already under construction and are expected to be launched in 2027, while the last ship of the initial batch is scheduled for delivery in 2030. French military legislation also provides for the acquisition of three additional units, totaling ten ships of this class by 2035.
At 92 meters in length and approximately 2,400 tons displacement, the new OPVs are significantly larger and more capable than previous models. They can exceed speeds of 21 knots, operate at sea for up to 30 days, and cover approximately 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, accommodating up to 84 people including crew and passengers.
The sensor and armament package highlights the emphasis on maritime surveillance and underwater security, including the Thales NS54 4D AESA radar, BLUEWATCHER sonar, 40 mm RAPIDFire gun, SIMBAD RC system, and counter-drone capabilities. Designed for 35 years of service and high annual availability, the ships also carry strong historical symbolism in their names, honoring figures from World War II and Île de Sein, recognized for its participation in the Free French Forces.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @MarineNationale | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
#Capacitaire | À Concarneau, @PIRIOU_Group a mis à l’eau le PH Trolley de Prévaux
1er patrouilleur hauturier destiné à la MarineNationale, construit sous maîtrise d’œuvre d’ensemble de la @DGA
👉 Tête de série d’un programme stratégique au service de la souveraineté maritime. pic.twitter.com/OQUEvzVnJw— Marine nationale (@MarineNationale) February 6, 2026
