Rolls-Royce to propel Maltese military

The 1,800t displacement, 74.8m, twin-screw vessel will feature a Rolls-Royce scope of supply that includes a pair of PROMAS controllable pitch propellers and rudders, SC722 FCP steering gear, a TT1300 bow thruster, a TT100 stern thruster, fin stabilisers, and a touch-screen remote control system that incorporates the CanMan Touch Joystick for all units.

Rolls-Royce will also be integrating the various operation modes of the hybrid diesel-electric-propulsion modes via a power take-in for lower patrolling speeds of up to 12 knots.

Lars Johansson, Rolls-Royce area sales manager, Kamewa naval propellers, said: “This is a significant order from a long-standing customer of Rolls-Royce. Having supplied Cantiere Navale Vittoria with equipment for many of its smaller 40m patrol and coastguard vessels for which the yard is noted for, we are delighted to now assist the shipbuilder in meeting market demand for larger vessels.”

Luigi Chinappi, Cantiere Navale Vittoria sales director, added: “As the P71 has been designed to provide sustained, efficient operations for many years to come, the Rolls-Royce equipment will provide enhanced manoeuvrability capability to the vessel. The propulsion systems the company will supply provide enhanced positioning capability, allowing close-range manoeuvres.”

When delivered in 2020, P71 will be the largest patrol vessel to emerge from the Vittoria shipyard and the flagship of the Maltese armed forces complementing its OPV P61 Saettia-Class patrol vessel.