German Shipbuilder Fassmer Launches First of Four OPVs for Singapore

Posted on October 3, 2026 by Chuck Hill

Infographic of the OPV prepared by Republic of Singapore Navy (click on to enlarge)

Naval News reports the launch of the first of four new OPVs for Singapore.

These are the third step in the evolution of OPVs designed by Fassmer. The first were 80 meter ships built by Chile and Colombia.

Chilean OPV84, Cabo Odger

The second were 86 meter OPVs built for the German national police.

Photo credit: katoult

The Singapore OPVs have made some interesting choices.

They have fenders or what I would call rub strips over about half the length of the hull. We have seen these on previous class of Singapore patrol vessels.
They have a flight deck for a medium size helicopter but no hangar.
There are at least three areas where containers can be stowed include in the area that would normally be a helicopter hangar.
The armament is relatively heavy with two 30mm remote weapons stations and a Strales equipped 76mm that can fire radio guided DART and extended range “Volcano” rounds. The 76mm was reportedly chosen to replace the 57mm used on the earlier 86 meter German ships, not because of the caliber, but because of the variety of ammunition available for the 76mm

I have added below some photos of an earlier story from Naval News that provide a better look at some of the features of the design.

Dual RHIB launch bays.

This area just forward of the flight deck is configured for the storage of containers. Also visible are the 30mm remote weapon stations and the water cannon.

“The Fassmer OPV90 Mk II is an evolution of the 86 Metre Offshore Patrol Vessel in service with the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei).” Note fender/rub strips on the hull.

“Coast Guard accepts 64th fast response cutter, Marvin Perrett” –CG-9

Posted on October 3, 2026 by Chuck Hill

Below is an Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9) report.

This will mean 20 FRCs are stationed in District SE.

WPCs 1162 and 1163, already accepted but not yet commissioned, will be going to Guam raising the total there to six and the total for District Oceania to nine.

Originally six WPCs 1113 to 1118 were based in Puerto Rico but apparently there have some changes to homeports.

Coast Guard accepts 64th fast response cutter, Marvin Perrett

Oct. 1, 2026 —The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 64th fast response cutter (FRC), Marvin Perrett, on Sept. 10 in Key West, Florida. Following commissioning later this year, Marvin Perrett will be homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Each FRC is named after an enlisted Coast Guard hero who performed extraordinary service in the line of duty. Marvin Perrett served in the Coast Guard during World War II aboard a Higgins boat as a landing craft, vehicle, personnel coxswain. He took part in the invasions of Normandy, southern France, Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

Perrett enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1942, one day before his 18th birthday. After boot camp in St. Augustine, Florida, and landing craft training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he became a certified Higgins boat coxswain and reported aboard the USS Bayfield, a Coast Guard-manned Navy troopship.

In recognition of his World War II service, Perrett received numerous awards for naval campaigns in the European and Pacific theaters. He was also inducted into the French Legion of Honor with the rank of chevalier. After the war, he became a prominent advocate for educating Americans about the Coast Guard’s role in World War II. He later received the Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award and the Pentagon’s Spirit of Hope Award. Perrett died in 2007.

Sixty-one FRCs are in service: 14 in Florida; six each in Alaska, Western Pacific and Massachusetts; five in Puerto Rico; four each in California and Guam; three each in Hawaii, Texas, Mississippi and New Jersey; and two each in North Carolina and Oregon.

“Coast Guard intercepts Motor Vessel Grace, continues operations to interdict illicit Cuban fuel shipments” –News Release

Posted on October 2, 2026 by Chuck Hill

U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Alert (WMEC-630) and Charles Sexton (WPC-1108) escort the motor vessel Grace in early September 2026. The Coast Guard interdicted the vessel following a coordinated international enforcement operation concerning its suspected illicit transport of fuel to Cuba. The vessel was later escorted to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy inspection team confirmed the presence of large quantities of fuel in its ballast tanks. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

This is unusual. Below is a news release from CG HQ. No indication in the release as to why the Mexican Navy was involved. I suspect that Mexico was the last port of call. No flag state is reported, but it appears she was last registered in COMOROS, an independent volcanic island nation, located in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa, at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between Mozambique and Madagascar.

Obviously M/V Grace is not a tanker.

Most interestingly the release seems to indicate that this is a continuing operation.

In early September, a Coast Guard tactical team boarded M/V Grace in the Caribbean Sea. M/V Grace was transiting to Cuba, carrying fuel, and was believed to be employing tactics common amongst the “dark fleet.” Following the boarding, the Coast Guard escorted the M/V Grace to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy (MARINA) inspection team confirmed the presence of large quantities of fuel in the vessel’s ballast tanks. The vessel was also carrying several containers believed to contain illicit fuel.

The unsafe stowage of fuel in ballast tanks represents an inherent hazard to the marine environment. The actions of the United States and Mexico prevented an unregulated fuel transfer in the Caribbean Sea, where deceptive shipping practices, unsafe vessel conditions and concealed cargoes can increase the risk of oil spills and other pollution incidents that threaten coastal communities, fish stocks and sensitive marine ecosystems.

“Illicit fuel shipments violate international law and pose severe environmental threats in the Caribbean Sea, said Vice Adm. Nate Moore, deputy commandant for operations. “As the Coast Guard leverages our unique authorities and capabilities on the high seas, coordinated efforts are vital to stopping illegal fuel shipments and upholding international law. We thank the Government of Mexico for its assistance in bringing M/V Grace to justice.”

The Coast Guard employed a range of assets and specialized capabilities to ensure a safe, seamless operation in accordance with U.S. and international law. The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alert (WMEC-630)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton (WPC-1108)
U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Fixed-Wing Aircraft
U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders

“The high seas are not a sanctuary for lawlessness,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. “Dark fleet actors who employ deceptive tactics to engage in illicit activities will not evade justice. The Coast Guard is bringing every capability to bear to interdict these vessels and uphold international law.”

The interdiction of M/V Grace follows the Coast Guard’s boarding and detention of the M/V Jaira Provider, another substandard vessel determined to be carrying illicit fuel to Cuba earlier this summer. In support of U.S. Government policy and in coordination with interagency and international partners, the United States Coast Guard continues to conduct operations to counter illicit maritime activity by dark fleet, stateless and vessels that fail to adhere to international standards. These efforts are conducted consistent with customary international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention and in cooperation with Flag State and Port State authorities.

“Coast Guard orders six additional C-130J surveillance aircraft” –News Release / Maybe Dragon Cart

Posted on October 2, 2026 by Chuck Hill

CGNR 2019 departs the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Marietta, Georgia, on April 14, 2026, for the Coast Guard Aviation Projects Acquisition Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where warranty and logistics flights were conducted before the aircraft’s induction into the missionization process. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin.

Below is a CG HQ news release.

This represents an acceleration of an existing program to replace existing fixed wing aircraft, both C-130H and C-27Js, with C-130Js. Generally the Coast Guard had been purchasing one C-130J per year. Sometimes these were added by Congress when not included in the budget request. This bumps it up to two per year.

Not mentioned is the fact that these are also potentially important mobilization assets both as transports and potentially even as cruise missile carriers. The addition of Minotaur which is now standard on all Coast Guard fixed wing aircraft gives them advantages compared to unmodified C-130s.

There are currently only nine government owned C-130Js in Alaska and five of those are Coast Guard based at Kodiak. There is also a squadron of eight C-17s.

A U.S. Coast Guard C-130 participates in forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operations during Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) in Adak, Alaska on Sept. 18, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

The Air Force has developed the ability to deploy various weapons, including Quick Strike, from the back of C-130s and C-17s. The program is called Dragon Cart, formerly Rapid Dragon. There is no reason Coast Guard C-130Js should not be qualified, tested, and exercised to provide the capacity.

Airmen and Riggers with the 1st Special Operations Squadron Logistics Readiness Squadron load a Rapid Dragon Palletized Weapon System aboard an MC-130J Commando II at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Dec. 13, 2021. The Rapid Dragon system deploys weapons using standard airdrop procedures from cargo aircraft. Photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Esau

WASHINGTON – On Sept. 24, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard leveraged existing U.S. Air Force contracts to order six baseline C-130J long-range surveillance aircraft from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Georgia.

This acquisition expands the Coast Guard’s C-130J program to 25 total aircraft. The Coast Guard expects to receive the first C-130J from Lockheed Martin in fiscal year (FY) 2028, with all six arriving by the end of FY 2030. Following delivery, the Coast Guard will award separate contracts to configure the aircraft to meet the Coast Guard’s mission requirements that designate the aircraft as HC-130Js.

These acquisitions continue the ongoing modernization of the Coast Guard’s aviation fleet. Compared with the legacy C-130H model, the new C-130J aircraft features a more advanced engine and propellers, yielding a 20% increase in speed and altitude, as well as a 40% increase in range.

HC-130J aircraft operate in core Coast Guard missions including counterdrug operations, alien interdictions, and search-and-rescue recoveries. The fleet is vital to the Coast Guard’s efforts to save lives, secure, control, and defend the U.S. border and maritime approaches, facilitate commerce vital to economic prosperity, and respond to crises and contingencies.

“The HC-130J is the largest and most capable airlift asset for the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security,” said Michael Haycock, director of systems integration (CG-SI). “Expanding our fleet supports the most critical Coast Guard missions and those of our DHS partners.”

This procurement also supports the Coast Guard’s plans to expand its HC-130J operations to additional air stations, including Air Station Sacramento, California, which received its first HC-130J in July 2026. The Coast Guard currently operates the HC-130J out of three air stations: Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Kodiak, Alaska; and Barbers Point, Hawaii.

The Coast Guard funded this acquisition using up to $735 million of the $1.412 billion provided by the fiscal year 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act for fixed-wing aircraft. The FY 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act is part of a comprehensive strategy to invest in Coast Guard facilities and infrastructure, supporting execution of missions across the country. To date, the Coast Guard has awarded approximately $19 billion across reconciliation projects throughout the United States.

“Hegseth to chair Pentagon’s new Homeland Defense advisory board” –Defence News

Posted on September 27, 2026 by Chuck Hill

U.S. Coast Guard crews patrol the Rio Grande near Mission, Texas, in October 2025 as part of Operation River Wall. U.S. COAST GUARD

Defence News reports,

“After overseeing a purge of Pentagon advisory committees last year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is adding a new one to the list, focused on homeland security and defense.

“Announced in the Federal Register Sept. 11, the Homeland Defense Board aims to fill a gap Hegseth sees in providing military guidance to homeland security missions.

“’The specific, integrated advice required by the SecWar regarding the military’s mission of defense of the Homeland and Homeland security cooperation is not available from any other Federal advisory committee, government agency, or alternative source,’ establishing documents state.”

The Coast Guard is mentioned only once.

The large-scale deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities to support law enforcement; the ongoing deployment of troops to the southern border; and the aggressive move into drug interdiction missions traditionally executed by the U.S. Coast Guard have all blurred the lines between the mission sets of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The establishing memo suggests the new board will create a bridge between the two that didn’t previously exist.

This might be an avenue to providing more visibility for the Coast Guard’s role in defense and for obtaining more Navy support for drug interdiction.

It may allow the Coast Guard to have more interaction with services other than the Navy; after all, the Army is still legally responsible for Coast Defense and if we detect an attack underway, we may need to ask for help from an Army or Air Force base.

It’s not clear if the Coast Guard will have any representative on the board.

“Also on the board will be one civilian and one field- or mid-grade officer from each military branch and ‘such other members as the SecWar or the Deputy Secretary of War may appoint or designate,’ establishing documents state.”

but that may only refer to DOD/DOW military services.

Danish Arctic Patrol Vessel

Posted on September 26, 2026 by Chuck Hill

Above is a video interview from Naval News. Denmark has approved procurement of five.

Wish I could tell you more about the ships, but this is the best information I was able to find. I think they will be about the size of the Offshore Patrol Cutters which means about 4500 tons. I would guess the speed will be about 24 knots. Looks like they will be armed with a 76mm and a 35mm Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun.

The video states the ship can break one and a half meters of first year ice and a meter of multi-year ice. It appears the ship will have propeller shafts rather than Azipods.

“Report: CIA warned Europe of Russian drone attack from vessels in the Mediterranean”

Posted on September 25, 2026 by Chuck Hill

MATILLA, J. AGUIRRE y JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ / EL MUNDO

Russian “Gerbera” drone, downed by Ukrainian border guards in Sumy region of Ukraine on 5 January 2025.

It has always seemed way too easy to discretely launch a swarm of drones from a merchant ship. You might think they would be limited by the number of operators, but really they can be programmed to fly directly for known geographic coordinates, and AI is opening up possibilities of autonomous attacks on moving targets.

This suggests that cutters need to be armed to take down drones, not just for self-defense but to protect important potential targets.

Defense News reports,

“The CIA has warned European countries of a suspected Russian plot to launch Gerbera-type drones from aboard commercial vessels in the Mediterranean, a new report says.

“Major Spanish daily El Mundo published the article, which was based on testimony from an anonymous Lithuanian intelligence source, late Wednesday local time.

“According to the paper, the CIA had assessed that Spain, France or Italy may be the targets of these attacks, with drones launching from international waters in the Mediterranean and traveling to the coastal countries over the course of an hour or two.”

“Coast Guard awards $315 million contract to modernize fuel pier, utilities at Base Kodiak” –News Release

Posted on September 25, 2026 by Chuck Hill

CGAS Kodiak

The Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro (WHEC 724) is moored at the cutter’s homeport of Kodiak, Alaksa, April 24, 2021. The Douglas Munro was decommissioned during a ceremony following 49-years of service to our nation. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Matt Masaschi

Another investment in infrastructure. Below is a CG HQ news release.

WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard awarded a $315 million contract Sept. 11 to Tutor Perini Corp. to design and construct a new fuel pier and major cutter mooring at Base Kodiak, strengthening shore infrastructure to support Coast Guard operations in Alaska and the Arctic.

The project will deliver a new fuel pier capable of receiving fuel deliveries and providing up to two major cutter berths. Work is expected to be completed in the fall 2030.

“This contract represents a major investment in the infrastructure that supports Coast Guard crews and families in Alaska,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard. “Modernizing Base Kodiak’s waterfront delivers the capabilities we need to be ready and carry out the missions to secure our northern border and maritime approaches in the Arctic.”

The project includes:

Waterfront improvements, including grading work to improve ground stability;
Construction of a new fueling utility building;
Installation of utilities, cutter shore ties and other site amenities, including information technology, water and sewage connections, and safety equipment; and
Unexploded ordnance removal.

The work is funded through a combination of sources, including the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Fiscal Year 2023 Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Reconciliation funding.

The Coast Guard is leveraging historic investments to deliver shore facilities and infrastructure that support the full scope of Coast Guard missions.

For media inquiries contact mediarelations@uscg.mil.

“U.S. Strikes 70th Alleged Drug Boat, U.N. Brief Condemns Attacks” –USNI

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Chuck Hill

Kinetic attack target #20. Pentagon image.

The US Naval Institute News Service reports,

U.S. forces with Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere struck a go-fast vessel allegedly carrying illicit narcotics on Friday, killing four people aboard…A United Nations brief released Sunday alleges that the U.S. strikes violate international law.

“The United States military attacks are, however, contrary to international law, violate the human right to life, and plausibly constitute crimes against humanity,” Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights Ben Saul wrote in the brief.

The lethal kinetic attacks on suspected drug smugglers have been going on for a little over a year. Initially these kinetic strikes were centered in the Caribbean, near Venezuela. This most recent attack was in the Caribbean, but there have also been lethal kinetic strikes in the Eastern Pacific.

The kinetic attacks do seem to have slowed down but I don’t expect the UN’s report will have an effect on the administration.

The UN report may have some effect on our relations with nations that have been cooperating with the US on Drug interdiction. There were adverse reactions from Colombia and the UK when the attacks began.

Contract for Offshore Patrol Cutter Homeport, Newport, RI

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Chuck Hill

NAVSTA Newport, RI

Below is a quote from the Department of War contracts for September 22, 2026.

That is a lot of money for infrastructure. Good to see. We have known for a long time, the fifth and sixth OPC were scheduled to go to Newport. Hopefully we will have #5 by 2030.

Ironically they will be the most powerful surface ships, Navy or Coast Guard, on the Atlantic Coast home-ported North of Virginia.

Thanks to Paul for bringing this to my attention.

“Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc., Waltham, MA is awarded a $271,226,000.00 firm-fixed price contract for construction services for Design-Bid-Build United States Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters Homeport Pier. Work will be performed at Naval Station Newport, Newport Rhode Island, and is expected to be completed by March 2030. The maximum dollar value, including the base price and four options, is $271,226,000.00. Fiscal 2022 Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure and fiscal 2025 One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard funding in the amount of $271,226,000.00 will be obligated at the time of the award. The amount of $51,108,836 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The remaining amount will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the http://www.SAM.gov website, with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia is the contracting activity (N40085-26-C-0032).”