Montenegro has launched the first of two patrol vessels being built for its navy at the KERSHIP shipyard in Lorient, France.
The vessel, named Petar I Njegoš, was launched on September 11 in a ceremony attended by Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, Defense Minister Dragan Krapović, Chief of the General Staff General Miodrag Vuksanović, and representatives from Montenegro, France and partner navies.
According to the Montenegrin government, the vessel will undergo several months of testing in France before entering Montenegrin waters in early spring 2027.
The second vessel, Petar II Njegoš, is expected to enter Montenegrin waters in early autumn 2027. The new units are designed to perform a wide range of missions: from surveillance of territorial waters and combating smuggling and illegal migration, to participating in international NATO missions. Construction started last April.
The two patrol vessels are part of Montenegro's effort to modernize its naval capabilities and strengthen its ability to operate in the country's maritime space. The project also includes cooperation between Montenegrin personnel and French shipbuilding experts during the construction of the vessels.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Defense Minister Dragan Krapović said the new vessels will require trained and professional crews capable of operating both in Montenegrin territorial waters and in international missions and operations.
The launch marks the latest milestone in a project that began more than a year ago as part of Montenegro's defense modernization efforts.
The vessels are intended to provide the Montenegrin Navy with new maritime capabilities while strengthening defense cooperation between Montenegro and France.