Photo: Azerbaijan Coast Guard’s first Saar 62. Source: President’s Office, Azerbaijan
We have talked about these before, but now we have more details, particularly about how they are equipped.
Janes 360 reports the launching of two new vessels for the Azerbaijan Coast Guard, the first of up to six helo deck equipped, 203 foot, 470 ton, 32 knot Sa’ar 62s based on the Israeli Sa’ar 4.5 missile boat, and a sixth 32.65 m-long, 95-ton Shaldag Mk V.
Photo: Azerbaijan Coastguard’s sixth Shaldag Mk V (Azerbaijan State Border Guard Service)
Both types use the Typhoon gun mount which is basically the same as the Mk38 mod2 used by the Coast Guard, except that, instead of using the 25 mm chain gun, these use a Soviet era 23 mm, with a higher rate of fire. Both use the Toplite Electro-Optic fire control system that is also part of the Mk38 mod2.
Most interesting, they are armed with small missile systems. the larger vessels will have an eight cell launcher for the 25 kM range Spike-NLOS.
TYPHOON MLS NLOS configuration has eight Spike NLOS missile launchers and integrated Toplite stabilized observation and target acquisition system. Photo: RAFAEL via defense-update.com
The smaller vessels have a four tube launcher for the 8 km range Spike-ER.
Azerbaijan’s neighbors on the Caspian Sea are Russia to the North, Iran to the South, and Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan on the other side of the water. They have a small navy in addition to their Coast Guard, but these will constitute a substantial reinforcement. There is appears to be a miniature naval arms race going in the Caspian Sea.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
I like the Sa’ar 4.5 and variants. Not too small. Good hull shape with a nice healthy draught and quick. I wish we had them for our Border Agency.
Actually there is a similar British design in service with the Hellenic Navy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roussen-class_fast_attack_craft
A bit beamier with a foot less draught but just as quick.
Not sure about the utility of carrying a helicopter as surely shore based aircraft would be a better option. Much better to have davits for interceptors in the 10m to 15m range.
Good stuff. 🙂
A look at military situation and potential conflicts in the Caspian Sea. Notably the CG has done several training missions to the area. http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2015/11/25/a_new_military_order_in_the_caspian_sea_108724.html
Meanwhile on the other side of the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan’s Coast Guard has cutters equipped with twin 40mm guns and short range surface to air missile systems. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2017/january-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/4846-turkmenistan-s-coast-guard-patrol-boat-spotted-with-simbad-rc-short-range-naval-air-defence-system.html
Following from the German Navy blog, “Marine Forum” http://marineforum.info/Daily_News/daily_news.html
“24 August, AZERBAIJAN, Turkan (Baku) launches the 4th OPV-62 (S-204) patrol boat and lays keel for the 6th (rmks: built after Israeli SA’AR-62 / SA’AR-4 design and with Israeli assistance for the Azeri Coast Guard)
Israel builds an OPV 62 for Cyprus too. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2017/september-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/5575-kronstadt-completes-first-tests-of-unmanned-surface-vessel.html
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Looks like #6 of the six OPV-62s has been launched. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2019/january/6780-azerbaijan-has-launched-its-new-sbs-ship-afloat.html
Israel completes an OPV-62 for Honduras. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2019/december/7795-israel-shipyards-delivers-offshore-patrol-vessel-to-honduras.html