Castor-class patrol vessel

Pollux in Zeebrugge
Class overview
NameCastor-class coastal patrol vessel
BuildersSocarenam, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
Operators Belgian Navy
Cost€26.6 million (2013) for 2 units
Built2013–2015
In commission2014–present
Planned2
Completed2
Active2
General characteristics [1]
TypePatrol vessel
Displacement455 t (448 long tons) full load
Length53.50 m (175 ft 6 in)
Beam9.50 m (31 ft 2 in)
Draught3.19 m (10 ft 6 in)
Propulsion2 × 2,880 kW (3,860 hp) MTU diesel engines
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) (maximum)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × RHIBs
Crew15

The Castor class is a pair of coastal patrol vessels in service with the Belgian Navy, used primarily for patrol of the Belgian exclusive economic zone of the North Sea.[1]

History

In January 2012 Belgian Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem presented plans for the future of the navy. In these plans a budget of €34 million was set aside for two Ready Duty Ships. These plans where approved by the Belgian Government in May of that same year. Both Damen Group and Socarenam responded to an invitation to tender. Damen proposed a variant of their Stan Patrol vessel which was already in use by a number of navies. However, in December 2012, an order for two ships was placed with Socarenam for a far lower price (€26.6 million ) than the initial budget. Construction of the first ship began in June 2013.[1]

Castor was delivered to the navy in 2014.[2] She was followed by Pollux in 2015.[3]

In March 2023 it was revealed that the Belgian Navy is looking into acquiring a third patrol vessel which could be a third Castor-class ship. A decision is expected in summer 2023.[4][5]

In November 2024, NAVELNEWS reported that the Belgian Ministry of Defense had completed negotiations with the shipyard in France Socarenam for the construction of a third ship.[6]

Ships in class

Pennant no. Name Builder Launched Commissioned Status Picture Notes
P901 Castor Socarenam, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France 14 April 2014[7] 10 July 2014[2] In active service
P902 Pollux 22 December 2014 6 May 2015[3] In active service

References

  1. ^ a b c "Castorklasse patrouilleschepen (België)" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Dopen van het patrouillevaartuig P901 "Castor"" (in Dutch). Monarchie.be. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Doop patrouillevaartuig P902 "Pollux"" (in Dutch). Monarchie.be. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  4. ^ "België wil derde patrouilleschip - wordt het een eenling?" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Belgian Navy To Procure A Third Coastal Patrol Vessel". Navalnews.com. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  6. ^ Gain, Nathan (2024-11-14). "Belgium procures third Coastal Patrol Vessel from France". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  7. ^ "Eerste nieuwe Belgische patrouilleschip 'Castor' te water gelaten" (in Dutch). Standaard.be. Retrieved 15 February 2023.