KERSHIP launches the first OPV 60M for the Montenegrin Navy

KERSHIP, a joint venture between PIRIOU and Naval Group, this Friday 11th of September 2026, launched the PETAR NJEGOS I, the first of two OPV 60M offshore patrol vessels ordered by Montenegro, at its Lanester shipyard.

A strengthened French-Montenegrin cooperation

The launch of the PETAR NJEGOS I comes less than two years after the contract was signed between the Montenegrin Ministry of Defence and KERSHIP. It demonstrates the strong momentum and depth of the cooperation between France and Montenegro in the fields of defence and maritime sovereignty.

The first OPV will now undergo further outfitting and trials before being delivered to the Montenegrin Navy in April 2027. The second vessel, PETAR NJEGOS II, is also under construction and is scheduled to be launched during the first quarter of 2027.

A programme strengthening Montenegro’s maritime capabilities

With these two OPV 60M vessels, Montenegro is significantly strengthening the capabilities of its Navy and its contribution to maritime security missions.

Located at the gateway to the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro occupies a strategic position at the heart of the European maritime space. The new patrol vessels will enable the Montenegrin Navy to perform a broad range of military and civilian missions, including maritime surveillance, protection of strategic infrastructure, border control, counter-piracy and counter-trafficking operations, search and rescue, pollution response, humanitarian assistance and the deployment of Special Forces.