Two FBM Babcock 33m Protector Class fast patrol vessels have recently been launched in Chile, showing that this well established craft, first developed and marketed by Fairey Marine a couple of decades ago, is still relevant today, writes George Marsh. Indeed, an order is believed to be imminent for a new 45m Protector variant to be built under licence for another South American country, of undisclosed identity. Asmar Shipyard at Talcahuano, Chile, launched its latest two 150tonne, 33m length overall Protectors in late 2003 and early 2004, bringing the total it has so far produced under licence to 16. The first two craft had steel hulls with aluminium alloy superstructures, but subsequent craft have been all-aluminium. A pause in Protector production is now expected, though sources suggest that a further phase, provisionally scheduled to start in 2008, could take the total of Chilean-built craft to 27 vessels eventually. Production could run alongside that of larger, helicopter-carrying offshore patrol vessels the Chilean Navy is known to want for oceanic operation.
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