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First Pacific RIB ready for France
Thursday, 13 September, 2007
VT Halmatic is weeks away from handing over the first of a new generation of advanced rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) to the French Marine Commandos. Based on the Pacific 28 RIB, which is already in widespread service with the UK Royal Navy, the new variant incorporates features developed specifically for the French requirement.
For example, the hull is a carbon composite, and the design is inherently more adaptable. “This latest robust boat builds on more than 50 years’ experience that we have in building such craft and has been tailored to specifically meet the needs of the French commandos,” said VT Halmatic technical director Bob Cripps.
The first-of-class boat is due for handover on 1 October. It will undergo a rigorous evaluation before the customer gives the go-ahead for production of a further 19 of the 9.5m craft. The new RIBs will extend the capacity of the existing craft used by the French Marine Commandos and will provide improved performance, particularly in areas such as maritime assault, fire support, insertion and as a command and control platform. The craft will also be capable of conducting humanitarian missions in support of evacuation and rescue.
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