Louisiana-based boatbuilder Metal Shark has been awarded two U.S. Coast Guard Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts to build patrol boats for the maritime forces of Cameroon and the Republic of Georgia.
Each contract includes a 38 Defiant patrol boat, transport trailer, spare-parts package and operator training. The vessels will be constructed at Metal Shark’s production facility in Jeanerette, La.
“These awards mark Metal Shark’s entry into two new markets while delivering new capabilities that will modernize the maritime fleets of Georgia and Cameroon,” said Henry Irizarry, Metal Shark’s senior vice president of international business development. “We are proud to support these partner nations in strengthening maritime security, operational readiness and mission effectiveness.”
The welded-aluminum 38 Defiant is designed for coastal patrol, maritime interdiction, port security, search and rescue and other maritime security missions. The platform has previously served with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and is now operated by U.S. partner nations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
The vessel features Metal Shark’s Defiant-series pilothouse, designed to provide enhanced visibility and all-weather crew protection. The platform can be configured with different propulsion arrangements and mission-specific equipment to meet a variety of operational requirements.
The contracts are part of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, through which the United States provides defense equipment and services to partner nations. The new patrol boats are intended to strengthen maritime law enforcement, territorial-water security and critical-infrastructure protection in Cameroon and Georgia.
“At a time when maritime security is taking on greater strategic importance worldwide, these awards demonstrate the growing international demand for capable, proven, and supportable patrol platforms,” said Chris Allard, CEO of Metal Shark.
Metal Shark has supplied vessels to military forces in more than 70 U.S. partner nations. The company operates multiple shipbuilding facilities in Louisiana and has delivered more than 2,000 vessels over the past two decades.
