Auguste Bénébig-class (POM)

The Auguste Bénébig is an offshore patrol vessel of the French Navy and the lead ship of the Patrouilleurs Outre-mer (POM) class, also designated as the Félix Éboué class. Conceived under the BATSIMAR programme and the 2017 Strategic Study for National Defence and Security, the class was designed to protect French overseas territories and conduct coast guard duties. Following an invitation to tender issued by the Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA) in August 2018, the contract for the design, construction, and maintenance of the class was awarded to Socarenam and CNN-MCO. Construction of the Auguste Bénébig began on 8 October 2020 in Saint-Malo. The vessel was launched on 15 October 2021, transferred to Boulogne-sur-Mer for fitting out, and commenced sea trials on 26 July 2022.

The vessel is configured to operate in environments with high temperatures and high humidity, and features onboard craning capabilities. It accommodates a standard crew, additional passengers, and combat divers. Equipment includes swift inflatable boats and an Aliaca unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is launched by catapult and recovered automatically via a net system. The ship is fitted with the Nexeya Lyncea combat system and Hensoldt surveillance radars. Armament consists of a bow-mounted Nexter Narwhal remotely operated autocannon and multiple manual machine gun mounts.

The Auguste Bénébig is homeported at Nouméa in New Caledonia, replacing decommissioned P400-class patrol vessels. The ship began its transit from Brest in January 2023, arrived at Nouméa in April 2023, and entered service in July 2023.