The launching completed the inshore patrol vessel completed the phase the equipment of the vessel on the slipway and kicks off off the phase of offshore equipment of the vessel. The prototype of the inshore patrol vessel for the Croatian Coast Guard was launched in the construction hall of the shipyard “Brodosplit“ in Split on 3 June 2017. The launching was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General  Mirko Šundov and State Secretary for Defence Zdravko Jakop. The launching completed the phase of the equipment of the vessel on the slipway and  kicks off the phase of offshore equipment of the vessel, to last for ca two months, which will be followed by the testing of the vessel in the port and in navigation, monitored by the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Register of Shipping. Following the delivery of the vessel to the Croatian Navy, it will undergo special prototype tests conducted under worst weather conditions in the Adriatic Sea (to test the navigability and suitability of technical solutions and prototype characteristics).

The completion of the testing is expected by late 2017, when the vessel will be officially named and delivered to the Navy. The particularity of the inshore patrol vessels consists in optisation of the ship systems, whereby one tank of fuel allows the vessel to sail 1,000 nautical miles. The optimised fuel consumption achieved through innovative design of the hull and sea-kindliness enable a highly cost-efficient operation compared to other vessels. The 43.5-m long vessel is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station comprising a 30-mm automatic gun ball and two 12.7-mm manually operable machine guns and four MANPAD systems. The vessel’s capacity is 17 people and a 10-day autonomy at sea. The main engines with 2 x 2525 kW/ 2 x 3386 HP enable the vessel sail at the speed of 28 knots. It is also equipped with a stern ramp and a fast intervention rigid hull boat for a 6-member crew  with an inboard diesel engine with waterjet propulsion enabling speed of 40 knots and the autonomy at sea pf 60 nautical miles.

The basic function of the inshore patrol vessels is patrolling for surveillance  and protection of the interests of the Republic of Croatia at sea; and enhanced seaworthiness will make it usable in international search-and-rescue actions at sea.