Venezuela to buy additional parcel of Spanish patrol ships

07.09.2011 Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia plans to sign a contract on additional patrol ships for Venezuelan Navy.

According to Jane's Defense Weekly, the parties hold active negotiations about additional delivery of two corvettes for exclusive economic zone patrols (POVZEE), and two littoral patrol ships BVL (Buque de Vigilancia Litoral).

Venezuelan Navy tied the contract with Navantia for construction of 4 POVZEE class corvettes and 4 BVL ships in May 2006 within the framework of intergovernmental agreement signed in Nov 2005. The program's overall cost is evaluated as EUR 1.7 bln ($2.3 bln).

As of now, Navantia has delivered three BVL ships to Venezuelan Navy. The fourth one – Tamanaco (GC-24) – will be constructed by DIANCA shipyard in Venezuela under the technology transfer contract. Besides, the orderer has received two out of four POVZEE class corvettes (the second one was delivered on Aug 2).

Two other ships of that type - Yekuana (PC-23) and Karina (PC-24) – are at different stages of outfitting and trials. The ships are expected to join Venezuelan Navy late in 2011.

As is planned, the new agreement will also provide maintenance service of eight ships delivered in the first parcel. Expectedly, the contract would be signed in 2012.