MAURIC to design five river patrol vessels for Bangladesh Coast Guard

French naval architecture firm MAURIC has been selected to design five 38-metre river patrol vessels for the Bangladesh Coast Guard, marking a significant milestone in France-Bangladesh defence and maritime cooperation.

MAURIC, a subsidiary of the French technology group Exail, will collaborate with the Norwegian company NORDIC NAVAL AS on the programme. Together, the two companies will provide the shipyard with the comprehensive vessel design package and critical equipment specifications.

The five patrol vessels will be constructed locally in Bangladesh by Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited (DEW), a state-owned shipbuilding facility. Construction is slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026.

According to MAURIC, the vessels will achieve a maximum speed of 22 knots. They will feature robust steel hulls paired with aluminum superstructures, an engineering configuration specifically chosen to reduce weight above the waterline while maintaining structural integrity.

Planned armaments include a remotely operated 30mm cannon. Each vessel will accommodate up to 29 personnel, including crew and embarked forces, with an operational endurance of up to 10 days. MAURIC has designated this platform as the RPV 385 design.

While primarily categorised as river patrol vessels, the ships are engineered to operate seamlessly in coastal zones. 

This capability is exceptionally well-suited for Bangladesh, where the extensive waterways of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta converge with the Bay of Bengal coastline. The vessels will be deployed for various critical missions, including maritime surveillance, counter-trafficking operations, and territorial water defence.

Based on proven designs, the new fleet draws from MAURIC's existing, operationally proven portfolio of coastal patrol vessels. 

The French firm noted that real-world performance data and past service experiences heavily influenced Bangladeshi authorities in choosing their design. Adapting an established platform instead of building a completely new concept will minimise technical risks and shorten design timelines ahead of local construction.

Fabrice Ghozlan, commercial and business development director of MAURIC, described the contract as another major milestone in Asia.

"This new success in Asia confirms the relevance of our patrol vessel range beyond European borders, particularly in the Asian and Middle Eastern markets," Ghozlan said. 

He emphasised that the company delivers tailored solutions matching precise operational requirements while relying on rigorously tested hull forms.

Headquartered with offices in Marseille, Nantes, and Belgium, MAURIC specialises in new-build, modernisation, and vessel conversion projects spanning both civilian and military sectors. 

The company operates under Exail, a high-technology French group formed by the merger of ECA Group and iXblue.