German offshore patrol vessels getting BAE’s 57mm naval guns

German offshore patrol vessels that will be used to patrol the country’s North Sea and Baltic coastlines are set to receive BAE Systems-built 57mm naval guns.

The first gun system is scheduled for delivery in 2020.

German shipbuilder Fassmer is building three 86-meter OPVs for the German federal police force, Bundespolizei.

BP 81 Potsdam, the first of three units, was delivered to the German coast guard in May this year.

The OPVs feature a flight deck that accommodate the Super Puma medium helicopter and have enough storage space for five mission containers. They can also launch and recover two interceptor boats.

“The Bofors 57 Mk3 is a versatile naval gun with firepower and range that exceeds expectations when compared with similar, medium calibre naval gun systems. That’s how our 57 millimeter system has earned its reputation as the deck gun of choice for ships operating in coastal environments,” said Ulf Einefors, director of marketing and sales for BAE Systems’ weapons business in Sweden.

The 57 Mk3 naval gun is also in use with the allied navies and coast guards of eight nations, including Canada, Finland, Mexico, and Sweden, as well as the United States, where it is known as the Mk110 naval gun.