South African private sector defence group Paramount signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Spanish State-owned shipbuilder Navantia, in Pretoria, on Friday. This new MoU builds on a previous agreement signed between the two companies at the beginning of this year.

"This is another important milestone in our mutual cooperation," stated Paramount executive director Eric Ichikowitz. "It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this agreement."

Whereas the previous agreement between the two groups was focused on the South African Navy's (SAN's) Project Biro patrol vessel acquisition programme, the new MoU has a wider focus. It is aimed at jointly pursuing naval and other maritime opportunities in other African countries. "Africa's development is gaining pace all the time and Paramount is at the coal face," he affirmed.

Should the partnership yield orders, there will be significant skills and technology transfer from Spain to South Africa. "Navantia is willing to contribute to the development of a solid industrial base in this country," assured Navantia president Jose Manuel Revuelta. He expressed confidence in the success of the MoU.

He also highlighted that the cooperation between the two companies on their Biro bid had been excellent. "Our bid is a low risk solution, providing value for money," he said.

Biro is a project to acquire new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) for the SAN. Paramount and Navantia are jointly bidding for the OPV part of the project. (Navantia is not involved in the IPV aspect of the programme.) They are offering the Spanish company's BAM design (BAM is the Spanish acronym for Maritime Action Vessel).

Four BAMs are already in service with the Spanish Navy and two more are under construction. Also known as the Avante 3000, this design has a full load displacement of 2 860 t, an overall length of 93.9 m and a beam of 14.2 m. It can accommodate 70 people but needs a minimum crew of only 35. Spanish Navy BAMs have already undertaken anti-piracy missions in the Indian Ocean, and one has visited South Africa.