Uruguay rejects Norwegian vessels, and purchasing OPVs is, once again, undefined

The long and failed process of acquiring ocean patrol vessels (OPV) for the Uruguayan Navy continues to drag on without solutions.

Infodefensa.com can confirm that Uruguay has dismissed the potential acquisition of Nordkapp class vessels from Norway.

Once again, the Uruguayan government has handled the issue in a – at least not very neatly – manner, taking almost six months to determine the possibility of purchase, which finally would not be carried out.

Although it has not yet been officially communicated to Norway, the Nordic country would already be aware of the decision.

PROBLEMS IN DRAFT AND RE-ENGINING COSTS

The exact reason Uruguay did not proceed with the acquisition has not been revealed.

Even the former Minister of Defense, Javier García, informed several times that it was under study.

However, some problems with the draft of the ships and the cost of their re-motorization could have been decisive when deciding on the purchase.

Thus, the Uruguayan Navy is again left without any option for ocean patrol vessels.

It will have to look for alternatives in a very limited market and with an extremely limited budget, making it very difficult to find options that meet the requirements of the naval force.

On the way, there have been tenders, calls for tender, direct purchases, and endless promises from almost the entire Uruguayan political spectrum. T

his does not provide the Armed Forces with the essential elements necessary to fulfill their function.

With information from Infodefensa