France orders 24 new coastal patrol vessels for Maritime Gendarmerie

July 10, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

France’s Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded a contract to French shipbuilder Couach for the construction of 24 new coastal surveillance patrol vessels for the Maritime Gendarmerie.

The contract, announced on June 29 2026, marks the launch of the VGMAR program, which will replace and modernise a significant part of the Maritime Gendarmerie’s coastal patrol fleet. The program will deliver up to four vessels annually over a six-year period and represents the largest renewal effort for the service’s coastal fleet in more than two decades.

The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2029.

Couach will lead the industrial delivery of the vessels, supported by naval architecture firm MAURIC, which contributed its expertise in semi-fast patrol vessel design and complex defence procurement programmes.

The first phase of the contract includes a firm order for four vessels, with additional batches to follow. Of the 24 planned vessels, five will be deployed to France’s overseas territories, including French Guiana, Mayotte and New Caledonia.

Designed for coastal surveillance and maritime security missions, the new patrol vessels will support a wide range of operations, including maritime law enforcement, counter-illicit trafficking activities, environmental protection and search and rescue missions.

The vessels will have a maximum displacement of 50 tonnes and will be capable of carrying up to 10 personnel. They will also feature a stern well deck for deploying a rapid intervention craft, enhancing their ability to conduct boarding and interception operations.

MAURIC said its design approach will focus on optimising the vessels’ semi-planing hull forms to achieve a balance between speed, fuel efficiency and operational performance. The patrol boats will have a maximum speed of 22 knots while maintaining the seakeeping characteristics required for safe operations and crew comfort.

Couach’s composite vessel manufacturing capabilities were a key element of the winning bid. The shipbuilder operates what is described as a unique industrial facility in France for the construction of professional composite vessels, allowing it to combine production efficiency with high construction standards.

The VGMAR program follows the award in late 2025 of the VGC 35-metre patrol vessel program for French Customs, marking the second collaboration between Couach and MAURIC on state-operated maritime security vessels.

The companies said the partnership combines MAURIC’s experience in patrol vessel architecture with Couach’s composite construction expertise to deliver a new generation of coastal vessels for French authorities.