Ceremony Marks Introduction of Third OSI-Equipped SAN MMIPV at Damen Shipyard
Tactical Capabilities from Navigation to Mission Management
- Two MMIPV’s are already delivered and operational at sea with the South African Navy
- Each vessel is navigating with OSI’s Integrated Navigation and Tactical System
- Enhanced situational awareness and weapon support is delivered through OSI’s IMMS
March 13, 2024 – On the first of March, in advance of the official launch of the third South African Navy (SAN) Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel (MMIPV), a Blessing Ceremony took place at Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT), South Africa.
Built by DSCT, the vessel’s design meets critical project requirements, ensuring cost-efficiency and adaptability for its coastal maritime roles, including patrol duties and safeguarding economic waters.
Ken Kirkpatrick, President and CEO, OSI Maritime Systems (OSI), expressed pride in the company’s contribution to the South African MMIPV program. He highlighted the commitment to South Africa’s Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) and Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) initiatives, working alongside local industrial partner Cybicom Atlas Defence to foster a sustainable defence industry.
The three SAN MMIPVs operate with OSI’s suite of tactical navigation solutions, comprising OSI’s Integrated Navigation & Tactical System (INTS), Integrated Mission Management System (IMMS), and OSI’s Tactical Asset Control & Tracking (T-ACT), all powered by ECPINS, the only WECDIS independently certified against NATO WECDIS STANAG 4564.
INTS offers a fully scalable warship-integrated navigation bridge system that integrates a selection of radars and navigation sensors within a network of interconnected servers and workstations, compliant with IMO and NATO STANAG 4564 standards and designed to meet military environment demands.
IMMS enhances situational awareness, tactical aids, and weapon support by integrating various combat sensors and effectors with ECPINS’s advanced WECDIS capabilities, alongside tactical functions enhanced with the powerful OSI’s proprietary chart engine.
Small craft onboard the MMIPV are equipped with OSI’s T-ACT, providing proven Command and Control (C2) capabilities through a small craft variant of ECPINS and W-AIS functionality, ensuring secure communications between the Mother Ship and associated Boarding Boats in various scenarios, including surveillance and suspect craft engagement.
The same ECPINS and T-ACT functionality will also be installed on the SAN’s new Hydrographic vessel and its survey boats.
Jim Davison, VP, Business Development, OSI, highlighted the strong partnership with Damen, noting OSI’s involvement in other Damen projects, including supplying IBS and T-ACT solutions to the German Navy F126 frigates and F126 small craft projects, with several additional collaborations with Damen underway.
