Прибережні патрульні кораблі класу Felix Eboue (POM)

The Patrouilleurs Outre-mer (POM), recognized as the Félix Éboué class, represent a specialized fleet of offshore patrol craft within the French Navy. Stationed in Nouméa, Tahiti, and La Réunion, these vessels succeed the retired P400-class ships, which were phased out by 2023. Weighing in at 1,300 tonnes, the POM units offer four times the displacement of their predecessors and provide a significantly broader operational scope. The inaugural vessel, Auguste Bénébig, entered active service in May 2023, with the full six-unit order slated for completion by 2027.

Strategic Development and Procurement

Analysis conducted through the BATSIMAR initiative and the 2017 Strategic Study for National Defence and Security highlighted the necessity for enhanced security in France’s overseas territories. The goal was to counter maritime encroachment and terrorist activities. This research categorized patrol assets into two distinct groups:

• Oceanic Patrol Vessels (PHM-NG)
• Overseas Patrol Vessels (POM)

The POM are engineered for territorial safeguarding and coast guard operations, prioritizing endurance over heavy offensive weaponry. Following a 2018 tender by the Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA), President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in November 2019 that Socarenam had secured the construction contract. This followed the shipbuilder's success with the Patrouilleurs Antilles-Guyane (PAG) of the Confiance type. The official manufacturing order, valued at approximately 224 million Euros (excluding VAT), was finalized in December 2019 in partnership with CNN-MCO for long-term maintenance.

Construction and Deployment Timeline

Naming conventions for the class honor Free French resistance fighters hailing from the regions where the ships are homeported.

Auguste Bénébig: Construction commenced in October 2020 at Saint-Malo. Following its 2021 launch and subsequent fitting out in Boulogne-sur-Mer, the ship underwent trials in 2022 and was commissioned in July 2023 upon arriving in Nouméa.

Teriieroo a Teriierooiterai: Departed for Papeete in March 2024, navigating around Cape Horn to reach its destination in May, with commissioning following in July 2024.

Auguste Techer: Delivered in August 2025 to its base in La Réunion.

The remaining three vessels will be distributed among Tahiti, New Caledonia, and Réunion, effectively replacing the P400-class as well as the patrol boats Le Malin and Arago.

Technical Specifications and Onboard Systems

The Félix Éboué-class measures 80 metres in length with a beam of 11.8 m and a draught of 3.5 m. While the standard crew consists of 30 personnel, the ships can house 29 additional passengers and provide support for combat diving teams. Engineered for 30-day autonomous missions in tropical climates, the vessels feature:

Hensoldt surveillance radars and the Nexeya Lyncea combat system (also utilized by Floréal-class and D'Estienne d'Orves-class ships).

Armament: A bow-mounted Nexter Narwhal 20 mm autogun, supplemented by four mounts for 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns.

Aviation & Small Craft: Two 8-metre rapid inflatable boats and a Survey Copter Aliaca UAV. The drone, launched via catapult and retrieved by net, extends the ship's surveillance range by 50 kilometres for up to three hours.