- Yes
- No
Hello everyone and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today I’m presenting a smaller boat than the ones I usually feature: the VFM Bir Hakeim (P7497).
In 2018, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) launched a call for tenders to acquire a new fast and protected patrol boat capable of carrying out the various patrol, surveillance, and protection missions assigned to the French naval infantry. This program, called “Protected Maritime and Port Defense Patrol Boats” (VPDMP), aims to replace aging vessels while providing greater mobility and protection to the units responsible for the security of naval bases. After several phases of trials and a change in the program’s designation, the future boats were named VFM, for “Naval Infantry Patrol Boat.” The design and construction were ultimately awarded to the Breton shipyard Ufast, based in Quimper. An initial order for twelve patrol boats was placed, with the goal of delivering the first vessel in 2019, followed by a new unit every six months.
However, the program quickly fell behind schedule due to various industrial difficulties. The first patrol boat was finally launched in 2021 before being delivered to the DGA (French Defence Procurement Agency) in 2022. Subsequently, Ufast encountered significant financial problems, particularly following difficulties with several export contracts signed with African countries. The company was ultimately placed under court-ordered administration in 2024 after delivering only two of the twelve planned patrol boats. Although the shipyard attempted to renegotiate its contract with the DGA, the recent arrival of Swedish CB90 assault boats undergoing evaluation by the French Navy suggests that no further deliveries of VFMs (Vehicles for Motorized Firefighting) will ultimately take place.
Assigned to the port of Brest, the patrol boat was named Bir Hakeim in homage to the famous World War II battle in which the Free French Forces clashed with German and Italian forces in the Libyan desert to cover the withdrawal and reorganization of British troops before the Second Battle of El Alamein. It was announced that all the patrol boats in this series would receive names inspired by significant feats of arms in French military history.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much more to say about this particular patrol boat. Relatively new and having not seen any major deployments, its history remains limited. Since entering service, however, it can be regularly seen in the Brest harbor, where it carries out surveillance missions, exercises, and security patrols, particularly during the arrival and departure of military vessels.
Characteristics
length : 15.0 m
Width :
Draft :
Mass : 15 tons (in charge)
The patrol boat is powered by four 350 hp outboard motors, allowing it to reach a top speed of 40 knots and a range of 150 nautical miles at 30 knots. The vessel can operate in sea conditions up to force 4.
The crew consists of two personnel plus eight marines. It should be noted that the weapons systems are operated by the embarked troops.
Equipment
The manufacturer and the French government have not provided specific details regarding the onboard electronic equipment. However, a SIMRAD navigation radar can be seen at the top of the ship’s mast.
The patrol boat is armored to protect its crew; the levels of protection are not specified, but the hull is made of composite materials. The French Navy website describes the patrol boat as having “significant armor.”
Weapons
The ship’s armament consists of two machine gun mounts, one forward and one aft. These two mounts are compatible with 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine guns. Both mounts are protected by armored plates.
Furthermore, some sources indicate that the ship is capable of installing a firing system to operate Akeron MP missiles (fire-and-forget missiles already present in the game on the French Jaguar).
In the game, this patrol boat would be an interesting addition to the French tech tree at the lower ranks, providing a slightly more modern armed vessel than the existing one, but lacking advanced weaponry, which would make it unbalanced. However, if the Akeron missile is confirmed as a weapon, its rank would likely change.
Sources
- La DGA réceptionne la première vedette de fusiliers marins (VFM) | Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattants
- La Force maritime des fusiliers marins et commandos (FORFUSCO) - 80 ans d’adaptation | Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattants
- La DGA réceptionne la première vedette destinée aux fusiliers marins -
- Intercepteurs rapides | Navires d’intervention maritime – UFAST
- La première Vedette de fusiliers marins a été qualifiée par la Direction générale de l’armement - Zone Militaire
- La Bir Hakeim, nouvelle vedette pour les fusiliers marins, baptisée à la base navale de Brest
- Fusiliers-marins : la livraison des nouvelles vedettes étalée jusqu’en 2025 | Mer et Marine
- Vedette de fusiliers marins — Wikipédia
