Gabon has ordered four 15A naval mounts and a 20 mm Narwhal remote controlled gun turret from Nexter Systems to equip its Raidco RPB20 patrol boats and new 58 metre offshore patrol vessel.
Nexter said the weapon systems will enable the Gabonese navy to effectively combat piracy and will contribute to the protection of Gabonese national waters.
Gabon On October 29 ordered a 58 metre long OPV50 offshore patrol vessel from Piriou, which will be built through the Piriou-DCNS Kership joint venture, and the refurbished ex-French Navy P400 patrol vessel Tapageuse. The latter will be delivered in mid-2015 and the former in mid-2016.
The Narwhal turret features an electro-optical sighting system and moving target auto-tracker. The turret for Gabon will feature the 20 x 102 mm M621 cannon, which has a firing rate of 750 rounds per minute. Weight of the turret with 200 rounds of ammunition is 390 kg. The Narwhal turret has been selected by the French Navy for its FREMM frigates.
The 15A light naval gun mount is also fitted with the M621 cannon. It is manually aimed and operated and weights 200 kg, with 160 rounds of ammunition.
On October 29 Gabon also ordered Nexter 12 Aravis armoured vehicles to equip its battalion committed in the Central African Republic as part of the UN’s MINUSCA mission there. These vehicles will be fitted with the ARX20 turret, the PG-Guard anti-RPG protection system and Nerva LG mini scout robots.
