Morocco Boosts Maritime Border Control with EU-Funded High-Speed Patrol Boats

The delivery of the five boats is the result of an agreement signed between the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) and the European Commission as part of the "Support for Integrated Border and Migration Management in Morocco" project. Funded by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, this project aims to "strengthen the operational and institutional capacities of border surveillance," explains Defensa.es.

The five semi-rigid boats manufactured by Vanguard for border surveillance work belong to the TX offshore series which includes versions from 5.40 to 12 meters in length. The Vanguard TX-10.0, the model requested by the Royal Gendarmerie, is 10 meters long by 3.08 meters wide and is capable of delivering extraordinary navigation performance in rough seas.

To read: Morocco Considers Maritime Patrol Aircraft Purchase for Royal Navy

With its very sturdy stainless steel hull, the Vanguard TX-10.0 is capable of withstanding external aggression. It has two Suzuki 350 hp engines and can reach a maximum speed of 55 miles with its two 500 liter capacity tanks.

The boat can carry six passengers on board. The navigation equipment of the Vanguard TX-10.0 includes a radar, a sonar, a GPS localization system and a VHF radio equipped with two 16-inch touchscreens, as well as an EPIRB and a 10-person life raft.