Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Republic will begin to receive within a period of 12 months the first of four coastal patrol vessels acquired from Portugal for an amount of 24 million euros, equivalent to RD$1,735.9 million at the current rate, as part of the process of strengthening national maritime security.
The contract establishes that the vessels will be delivered progressively, with the second vessel planned in 20 monthsthe third in 30 months and the fourth in a maximum of 40 monthsafter completing the logistics and operational preparation phase.
The acquisition was formalized this Friday through an intergovernmental agreement signed by the Dominican Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofreand the Minister of Defense of Portugal, Nuno Meloand includes training, technical support, spare parts and modernization.
Tejo class patrol boats: model, make and age
The ships acquired correspond to the “Tejo” class, units built in Portugal and in service in the Portuguese Navy since 2016, which means that They are approximately nine years oldbut they are considered modern and fully operational platforms.
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These boats, made in Portugal, have a length between 50 and 54 meters and a displacement of about 345 tons, designed for maritime patrol, surveillance, rescue and territorial control missions.
The patrol cars have a hybrid propulsion system that combines diesel and gas turbine engineswhich allows them greater efficiency, speed and autonomy to operate for long periods in the open sea.
Reinforcement of maritime surveillance and fight against drug trafficking
Fernández Onofre highlighted that these units will strengthen surveillance of the waters under Dominican jurisdiction, as well as combat drug trafficking, transnational crimes and improve search and rescue operations.
The agreement also includes a comprehensive capabilities transfer program, covering crew training, technical documentation, spare parts supply, maintenance and logistical support, to ensure the sustained operability of the vessels.
The authorities indicated that this acquisition is part of the modernization process of the Armed Forces and will contribute to strengthening the protection of maritime territory, commerce and national security.
