KERSHIP Launches First OPV 60M Patrol Vessel for Montenegro’s Navy

French shipbuilding group KERSHIP has launched the first of two OPV 60M offshore patrol vessels it is building for the Montenegrin Navy. Named “Petar Njegoš I”, the ship touched water on September 11, 2026, in a ceremony at KERSHIP’s Lanester shipyard in France. The vessel will become one of the largest platforms in Montenegro’s small navy, marking a notable step in the country’s naval modernization.

At a Glance

Ship: OPV 60M class, “Petar Njegoš I” (first of class)
Builder: KERSHIP (a joint venture of Naval Group and PIRIOU), Lanester, France
Launch date: September 11, 2026
Delivery target: April 2027; second vessel “Petar Njegoš II” to launch in Q1 2027
Length: 62.95 m · Beam: 9.50 m · Displacement: ~550 tonnes
Speed: 21 knots · Range: 9,700 nautical miles
Crew: 24 personnel plus capacity for 16 special-mission personnel
Armament: one remote-operated 40mm CTA gun, two 12.7mm machine guns
Sensors/equipment: hull-mounted sonar, drone-carrying capability, POLARIS® mission management system, CBRN cell, diver and special forces facilities

The contract is a concrete output of the defense cooperation framework France and Montenegro signed in April 2024. At the launch ceremony, KERSHIP President Marie Eugénie Cotelle said the vessel “demonstrates the ability of the French naval industry to build defense ships tailored to specific customer needs.” Less than two years passed between the start of construction on both vessels and the first launch, underscoring how the OPV 60M’s modular design speeds up production.

Why the OPV 60M Matters for Montenegro

Montenegro has a limited but strategically positioned Adriatic coastline. Its navy has so far relied largely on aging, low-tonnage patrol boats, so the OPV 60M gives it a genuinely multi-mission platform capable of longer offshore deployments. The ship’s 9,700 nautical mile range and 24-person crew will directly reinforce the country’s maritime border control, anti-trafficking, and search-and-rescue capacity in the Adriatic. Its CBRN cell and special forces facilities also extend the vessel’s usefulness beyond routine patrol duty into humanitarian assistance and pollution-response missions.

The program also cements KERSHIP’s footprint in the Balkans. The French shipbuilder has previously delivered similar OPV platforms to other European navies, and the Montenegrin order reflects a broader trend among mid-sized NATO members toward affordable, multi-role patrol vessels rather than larger, more expensive combatants.

Regional Impact

Naval modernization in the Balkans and the Adriatic directly affects the region’s security balance, and a stronger Montenegrin fleet adds capacity to NATO’s southeastern flank. While there is no direct contract link to Turkey here, Turkish shipyards compete in the same 60-95 meter OPV export segment, so the deal is a useful indicator of continued demand for mid-sized patrol vessels in this part of Europe.

FAQ

How many ships did Montenegro order?

Montenegro’s Ministry of Defence ordered two OPV 60M vessels from KERSHIP: “Petar Njegoš I” and “Petar Njegoš II”.

When will the ship be delivered?

Delivery of the first vessel is targeted for April 2027; the second ship is due to launch in the first quarter of 2027.

Who is KERSHIP?

KERSHIP is a joint venture between French defense group Naval Group and shipbuilder PIRIOU, focused on small and medium-tonnage military and government vessels.