Flamant-class

Summary

Origin country 🇫🇷 France
Category Patrol vessel
SubtypePatrol boat
ManufacturerConstructions Mécaniques de Normandie, Cherbourg
Year commissioned1996
Units P676 Flamant
P677 Cormoran
P678 Pluvier

Operators

🇫🇷 France

Description

The Flamant class, designated Type OPV54, consists of three patrol boats operated by the French Navy. The vessels were ordered in August 1993 and constructed by Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie in Cherbourg. The class includes the Flamant (P676), Cormoran (P677), and Pluvier (P678), which were laid down and launched between 1994 and 1996. The French Navy envisages replacing these vessels with the Patrouilleurs Hauturiers class after 2027.

The vessels are designed for fishery monitoring, search and rescue, and patrolling the exclusive economic zone. Each ship is equipped with tanks for anti-pollutants and a water cannon for firefighting. Internal systems include a reverse osmosis plant for the production of fresh water. The deck layout includes an area designated for vertical replenishment. For boarding and utility missions, each boat carries a Zodiac Hurricane rigid-hulled inflatable boat powered by a water jet engine.

All three units are based at Cherbourg. Cormoran entered service in October 1997, followed by Flamant and Pluvier in December 1997. The class remains in active commission, conducting operations within the 200-nautical-mile limit of the French exclusive economic zone.

Technical specifications

Displacement477 tons
Range 4500 km at 14 knots
Crew21 members
Width10.0 m (32.8 ft)
Length54.0 m (177.2 ft)
Propulsion

2 × 3,050 hp (2,274 kW) Deutz-MWM TBD 620 V16 diesel engines, 2 × 930 hp (694 kW) Deutz-MWM TBD234 V12 diesel engines, 2 × variable-pitch propellers

Armament
  • 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns
Maximum speed23 knots

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ship is the Flamant-class?
The Flamant-class is a patrol vessel (Patrol boat) built by France.
What is the displacement of the Flamant-class?
The Flamant-class has a displacement of 477 tons.
What is the maximum speed of the Flamant-class?
The Flamant-class has a maximum speed of 23 knots (42 km/h).
What is the range of the Flamant-class?
The Flamant-class has a range of 4,500 km (2,429 nautical miles) at 14 knots.
How many crew members serve on the Flamant-class?
The Flamant-class has a crew complement of 21 personnel.
How many Flamant-class ships have been built?
3 vessels of the Flamant-class have been built.
Which countries operate the Flamant-class?
The Flamant-class is operated by France.
Wikipedia and other open sources. Last updated on 18 January 2026. Suggest a change