Morocco: Navantia’s Avante 1800 will be delivered in 2026, the first in 40 years

The delivery of the Avante 1800 ordered by Morocco from Navantia is scheduled for 2026, the Spanish company has announced. The modern warship "is currently entering its testing phase after its spring launch," referring to a program followed "with methodical consistency," said Alberto Cervantes, Director of Corvette and Maritime Action Vessel Sales.

Early July 2023 will mark the start of the construction of the Avante 1800. After the cutting of the steel plate at the San Fernando shipyard in Cadiz, the keel of the patrol vessel was laid in September 2025. The Moroccan patrol vessel will have a loaded displacement of approximately 2,020 tons, a length of 87 meters, a width of 13 meters, and a draft of 4 meters for a crew of about 60 sailors. It will have a helipad that will allow the operation of a helicopter or an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

This ship will also be equipped with two semi-rigid or RHIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat) auxiliary boats, as well as a 76 mm or 57 mm main gun, remote-controlled weapon systems (RCWS) of 25 or 30 mm, and a wide range of missiles.

The Avante 1800 will be used for various purposes: access surveillance, fight against illicit trafficking, control of irregular immigration, and protection of future gas and oil platforms in the Atlantic. Its construction cost Morocco approximately 130 million euros. This patrol vessel is the first warship built by Spain for Morocco in over 40 years.