Auguste Benebig, French Offshore Patrol Vessel (P779), entering Cairns Harbour on 24 Aug 2024.

Описание: ‪@shipsintropicaloz‬ French offshore patrol vessel, Auguste Benebig arriving in Cairns Harbour on 24 Aug 2024. This vessel is based in Noumea and was commissioned in July 2023.

Nouméa and Australia work together in the Pacific opposing terrorist action and threats of encroachment.

Six Patrouilleur d’Outre-Mer-class (POM) vessels will replace the P-400-class patrol vessels as France’s main ships in their overseas territories: New Caledonia, Tahiti and La Réunion.

The POM are designed to protect territories and conduct coast guard duties, without significant offensive armament.

The new craft are more self-sufficient and able to stay offshore longer without refuelling, and can endure more extreme weather.

Auguste Benebig has improved surveillance capability with an unmanned aerial vehicle and increased radar capability.

The vessel is almost three times bigger than the old patrol boats, with a length of 80m, a beam of 11.8m, a draught of 3.5m and displacement of 1300 tonnes.

Despite its larger size, automated systems allow it to maintain the same crew of about 30 sailors.

Its weaponry includes two 7.62mm machine guns, two 12.7mm machine guns and a remotely controlled 20mm auto-cannon mounted at the bow.