Patrol boat
Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:More citations needed
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A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. However, large size patrol vessels are also operated by multiple navies and coastguards. There are many designs for patrol boats, and they generally range in size. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, police, or customs, and may be intended for marine ("blue water"), estuarine ("green water"), or river ("brown water") environments.
Per their name, patrol boats are primarily used to patrol a country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), but they may also be used in other roles, such as anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fishery patrols, immigration law enforcement, or search and rescue. Depending on the size, organization, and capabilities of a nation's armed forces, the importance of patrol boats may range from minor support vessels that are part of a coast guard, to flagships that make up a majority of a navy's fleet. Their small size and relatively low cost make them one of the most common naval vessels in the world.
Patrol Boats are of varying types, including: offshore patrol vessels (OPV), patrol boat fast (PBF), patrol boat with surface-to-surface missile (PBG), patrol boat inshore (PBI), patrol boat with SAM (PBM), patrol boat riverine (PBR), patrol boat with torpedo (PBT).<ref>List of abbreviations for data sections. (2025). The Military Balance, 125(1), 518–519. https://doi.org/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445482</ref>
Classification
The classification of a patrol boat is often subjective, but they are generally small naval vessels that are used to patrol national waters or a certain jurisdiction. They may be as large as a corvette or even a frigate, though the term may also be used for vessels as small as a yacht or rigid inflatable boat. They can include gunboat, fast attack craft, torpedo boats, and missile boats. They may be broadly classified as inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) or offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). OPVs and medium size cutters are usually the smallest ship in a navy's fleet that are large and seaworthy enough to patrol off-shore in the open ocean, while IPVs are typically too small to do so and are instead kept in lakes or rivers, or close to coasts; IPVs specifically used in rivers can also be called "riverine patrol vessels". Large patrol vessels, offshore patrol vessels and Large cutters are the largest type of patrol ships and are typically more than 100 m (330 ft) in length. Some OPVs may possess significant armament and may approach corvettes in terms of armed capability.
Seagoing patrol boats are typically around 30 m (100 ft) in length and usually carry a single medium caliber artillery gun as main armament, and a variety of lighter secondary armament such as machine guns, while others include the sophisticated close-in weapon system. Depending on their role, vessels in this class may also have more sophisticated sensors and fire control systems that would enable them to carry torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air missiles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
During both World Wars, in order to rapidly build up numbers, all sides created auxiliary patrol boats by arming motorboats and seagoing fishing trawlers with machine guns and obsolete naval weapons. Some modern patrol vessels are still based on fishing and leisure boats.
The United States Navy operated the Template:Sclass of armed hydrofoils for years in a patrol boat role. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy ordered 193 aluminum hulled Patrol Craft, Fast (PCFs),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> also known as Swiftboats, for brown water naval operations. The Patrol Boat, River (PBR, sometimes called "Riverine" and "Pibber") was a fiberglass hulled vessel also designed and used for inland river operations during the Vietnam War, and became an icon of water operations during the war due to its use in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now.
Most modern designs are powered by gas turbine arrangements such as CODAG, and speeds are generally in the Template:Convert range. The largest OPVs might also have a flight deck and helicopter embarked. In times of crisis or war, these vessels are expected to support the larger vessels in a navy, though some smaller navies are mostly composed of just patrol boats.
Specific nations
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
- Template:Sclass
- Z-28-class patrol vessel
- Shaldag-class patrol boat
- Gowind-class vessel
- Murature-class vessel
- Intrépida-class boat
- Zurubí-class patrol boat
- Baradero class patrol boat
- Punta Mogotes class patrol boat
Australia
- Template:Sclass (1967–1985)
- Template:Sclass (1979–2007)
- Template:Sclass (2005–present)
- Template:Sclass (2017–present)
- Template:Sclass (2025–present)
- Template:Sclass (1999–present)
- ACV Triton (2006–2015)
- Template:Sclass (2013–present) – replaced all but two of the Bay-class which underwent a life extension.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two Evolved Cape-class patrol boats ordered to replace the remaining two Bay-class patrol boats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Others
- Template:Sclass (1987–2023) – Australian-built, gifted by the Australian Government to 12 Pacific Island countries (Template:Ship appears to be the last boat in service as of November 2022)
- Template:Sclass (2018–present) – Australian-built replacements for the Pacific class, gifted to the same 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste
Bahamas
Bahrain
35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships, Commissioned in 2021 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Navy classified its medium size patrol ships as large patrol craft (LPC) which are armed with either anti-ship missiles or torpedoes. Those ships typically have heavier armaments but less range than OPVs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Large patrol craft
- Offshore patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass2
- ARES 150
- Inshore patrol vessel
- ASW patrol boat
- Patrol gunboat
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- Offshore patrol vessel
- Inshore patrol vessel
- Fast patrol vessel
- Coastal patrol vessel
- Tawfique class (former PLAN Shanghai II class)
- Riverine patrol craft
- Patrol vessel
- Shah Jalal class<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Belgium
- Castor Template:In lang (2014–present)
- Pollux Template:In lang (2015–present)
Brazil
- Grajaú-class offshore patrol vessel
- Bracuí-class patrol vessel – ex-Template:Sclass2
- Imperial Marinheiro-class offshore patrol vessel
- Piratini-class patrol vessel
- J-class patrol vessel
- Roraima-class river patrol vessel
- Pedro Teixeira-class river patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass offshore patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Brunei
- Template:Sclass offshore patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass patrol vessel
- KH 27-class patrol boat
- FDB 512-class patrol boat
- Bendaharu-class patrol vessel
- Perwira-class patrol vessel
- Saleha-class patrol vessel
- Pahlawan-class patrol vessel
Bulgaria
Canada
- Template:Sclass (1996–present)
- Template:Sclass (2006–present)
- Template:Sclass (2016–present) – Icebreakers based on the Norwegian Template:Ship
Cape Verde
Chile
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- Template:Sclass (1979/1980–2001/2002)
- Template:Sclass (1982–2014?)
- Template:Sclass (1990–present)
- Template:Sclass (1993–present)
- Template:Sclass (1996–2017/2020)
- Template:Sclass (1999–present)
- Template:Sclass (2007–present)
- Template:Sclass (2007–present)
- Template:Sclass (2008–present)
China (PRC)
- Harbour security boat (PBI) – four newly built 80-ton class harbour security / patrol boats, and more are planned in order to take over the port security / patrol duties currently performed by the obsolete Shantou, Beihai, Huangpu, and Yulin-class gunboats, which are increasingly being converted to inshore surveying boats and range support boats
- Shanghai III (Type 062I)-class gunboat – 2
- Shanghai II-class gunboat
- Shanghai I (Type 062)-class gunboat – 150+ active and at least 100 in reserve
- Huludao (Type 206)-class gunboat – 8+
- Template:Sclass – less than 25 (in reserve, subordinated to naval militia)
- Template:Sclass2 – less than 30 (in reserve, subordinated to naval militia)
- Template:Sclass2 – less than 15 (in reserve, subordinated to naval militia)
- Template:Sclass2 – less than 40 (being transferred to logistic duties)
- Template:Sclass2 (Type 718)
Colombia
- Diligente-class patrol boat
- Nodriza-class patrol boat
- PAF-I-class patrol boat
- PAF-II-class patrol boat
- PAF-III-class patrol boat
- PAF-IV-class patrol boat
- Patrullera Fluvial Ligera-class patrol boat
- Riohacha-class gunboat
- Fassmer-80 class – built in Colombia by COTECMAR
Croatia
Denmark
- Template:Sclass OPV – 3 vessels
- Template:Sclass IPV – 6 vessels
- Template:Sclass patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass OPV – 4 ships (classed as ocean patrol frigates)
- Template:Sclass IPV – 3 vessels
- Template:Sclass IPV – 9 vessels (in Danish)
- Hvidbjørnen-class OPV (link in Danish) – 4 ships (classed as ocean patrol frigates)
Ecuador
Egypt
- 35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships
Eritrea
Others
Finland
- Template:Sclass – formerly Finnish Border Guard, now Finnish Navy
- Template:Sclass2
- VL Turva – an offshore patrol vessel built at STX Finland Rauma shipyard in 2014
France
- D'Estienne d'Orves-class
- Félix Eboué-class
- Confiance-class
- Template:Sclass
- P400-class
- Patrouilleurs Hauturiers (planned)
- Trident-class patrol boat
- Géranium-class patrol boat
- Jonquille-class patrol boat
- Vedette-class patrol boat
- Pétulante-class patrol craft
- Pavois-class patrol craft
Germany
- Potsdam class (2019–present)
- Template:Sclass (2002–present)
- Helgoland class (2009–present)
- Template:Sclass2 (1943–1945)
- R boats (1929–1945)
- Type 139 patrol trawler (1956 to mid-1970s)
Greece
- Template:Sclass2s and derivatives Template:Sclass2 and Template:Sclass2<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Sclasss<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Nasty-class coastal patrol vessels – formerly torpedo boats
- Esterel-class coastal patrol vessels
- Template:Sclass2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> – acting as offshore patrol vessels (OPV)
- Stan Patrol 5509 OPV
- Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 OPV
- Abeking & Rasmussen patrol vessels – class Dilos
- POB-24G patrol vessels – class Faiakas
- CB90-HCG
- Lambro 57 and derivatives – all being boats for coastal patrols
Honduras
Hong Kong (SARPRC)
Iceland
India
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
Indonesia
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- FPB 28, Indonesian Police and Indonesian Customs, 28 meter long patrol boat made by local shipyard PT PAL.
- FPB 38, Indonesian Customs, 38 meter long aluminium patrol boat made by local shipyard PT PAL.
- FPB 57, Indonesian Navy, 57 meter long patrol boat designed by Lürssen and made by PT PAL, ASM and heli deck equipped for some version.
- PC-40, Indonesian Navy, 40 meter long FRP/Aluminum patrol boat, locally made by in house Navy's workshop.
- PC-60 trimaran, Indonesian Navy, 63-meter-long composite material, is armed with 120 km range of anti-ship missile, made by PT Lundin industry
- OPV 80 - 80 meter long, designed by Terafulk and made by PT Citra Shipyard
- OPV 110 (Tanjung Datu-class) - 110 meter long, made by PT Palindo Marine Shipyard
Iran
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy:
- Azarakhsh
- MK-13
- Zoljenah
- Bavar
- Zolfaghar
- Rezvan
- Tir
- Pashe
- Ghaem
- Gahjae
- Kajami
- Tarlan
- Taregh
- Ashura
- Murce
- Seraj
- Ashura-33
- MIL 40
- Cougar
- An unknown class of patrol boat
- Zulfighar
Islamic Republic of Iran Navy:
Ireland
List of Irish Naval Service vessels;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Sclass Offshore Patrol Vessels
- Template:Ship (1972–2001)
- Template:Ship (1978–2013)
- Template:Ship (1979–2015)
- Template:Ship (1980–2016)
- Template:Sclass Helicopter Patrol Vessel
- Template:Ship (1984–2022)
- Template:Sclass Coastal Patrol Vessels
- Template:Ship (1984–2022)
- Template:Ship (1985–2022)
- Template:Sclass Offshore Patrol Vessels
- Template:Ship (1999–present)
- Template:Ship (2001–present)
- Template:Sclass Offshore Patrol Vessels
- Template:Ship (2014–present)
- Template:Ship (2015–present)
- Template:Ship (2016–present)
- Template:Ship (2018–present)
Israel
- Template:Sclass2s
- Dvora class fast patrol boat
- Template:Sclass2s
- Template:Sclass2
- Template:Sclass2s
- Shaldag Mk II
- Template:Sclass2s (Stingray Interceptor-2000)
Italy
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- Zara class, (Italian Guardia di Finanza)
- Saettia class, (Italian Coast Guard)
- Diciotti – CP 902 class, (Italian Coast Guard)
- Template:Sclass, (Italian Coast Guard)
- Template:Sclass, (Italian Marina Militare)
- Cassiopea II class, (Italian Marina Militare)
- Esploratore class, (Italian Marina Militare)
- Template:Sclass2, (Italian Marina Militare)
Jamaica
Japan
- Template:Ship (Japan Coast Guard), the 2nd largest patrol boat
- Template:Sclass (Japan Coast Guard), large patrol vessel with helicopter deck and hangar
- Template:Sclass (Japan Coast Guard), large patrol vessel with helicopter deck and hangar
- Template:Sclass (Japan Coast Guard), high-speed large patrol vessel with helicopter deck
- Template:Sclass (Kunisaki class)
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass (Japan Coast Guard), high-speed large patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass (Japan Coast Guard), medium-sized patrol vessel
- Template:Sclass (JMSDF, Japanese Navy), corvette type patrol vessel
- Template:Ship, (Japan Coast Guard), icebreaker
- Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program (JMSDF, Japanese Navy)
Latvia
- Skrunda class, world's first SWATH patrol boat (Latvian Naval Forces)
Malaysia
- Kedah class offshore patrol vessel, (Royal Malaysian Navy)
- Keris-class littoral mission ship, (Royal Malaysian Navy)
- Gagah Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Ramunia Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Nusa Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Sipadan Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Rhu Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Pengawal Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Peninjau Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Pelindung Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Semilang Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Penggalang Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Penyelamat Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Pengaman Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Kilat Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Malawali Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Langkawi Class Patrol Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Tun Fatimah Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Malta
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- Protector class offshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2002–present
- Diciotti class offshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2005–present
- P21 class inshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2010–present
- Emer class offshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2015–present
Mexico
- Coastal patrol boat
- Offshore patrol vessel
Montenegro
- Kotor class frigate
Morocco
- OPV-70 class, offshore patrol vessel (Royal Moroccan Navy)
- OPV-64 class, offshore patrol vessel (Royal Moroccan Navy)
Namibia
- Grajaú-class offshore patrol vessel
Netherlands
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New Zealand
- Protector-class OPV (2008)
- Lake-class IPV (2008)
- Template:Sclass (1983–2008)
Nicaragua
Norway
- Barentshav class OPV
- Harstad class OPV
- Nordkapp class OPV
- Nornen class
- Svalbard class icebreaker
- Jan Mayen-class - Planned replacement for the Nordkapp-class
Peru
- Río Zarumilla class, Peruvian Coast Guard
- Rio Cañete class, Peruvian Coast Guard
Philippines
- Jose Andrada-class
- Alberto Navarette-class
- Nestor Acero-class
- Jacinto-class
- Rajah Sulayman-class
- Gregorio del Pilar-class
- Mariano Alvarez-class
- Kagitingan-class
- Boracay-class patrol boat
- Ilocos Norte-class patrol boat
- Parola-class patrol vessel
- San Juan-class patrol vessel
- Gabriela Silang-class offshore patrol vessel
- Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel
- FPB 110 PCG class
Poland
Portugal
- Bolina-class
- Levante-class
- Tufão-class
- Calmaria-class
- Bojador-class
- Ribamar-class
- Zodíaco-class
- Mar Creta-class
Qatar
Qatari Emiri Navy
Qatari Ministry of Interior
- ARES 75
- ARES 110
- ARES 150
Romania
- SNR-17 class patrol boats, Romanian Border Police
- Stefan Cel Mare patrol vessel, Romanian Border Police
Russia
- Stenka class patrol boat (Project 02059), Russian Navy and Russian Coast Guard
- Bogomol Class patrol boat (Project 02065), Russian Navy
- Mirage class patrol vessel (Project 14310), Russian Coast Guard
- Svetlyak class patrol boat (Project 10410), Russian Coast Guard
- Ogonek class patrol boat (Project 12130), Russian Coast Guard
- Mangust class patrol boat (Project 12150, Russian Coast Guard
- Sobol class patrol boat (Project 12200), Russian Coast Guard
- Terrier class patrol boat (Project 14170), Russian Navy and Russian Coast Guard
- Rubin class patrol boat (Project 22460), Russian Coast Guard
- Okean class patrol vessel (Project 22100), Russian Coast Guard
- Vosh class river patrol craft (Project 12481), Russian Coast Guard
- Piyavka class river patrol craft (Project 1249), Russian Coast Guard
- Ogonek class river patrol craft (Project 12130), Russian Coast Guard
- Project 22160 patrol ship, Russian Navy large patrol boat
Senegal
- Fouladou (OPV 190), Senegalese Navy
- Kedougou (OPV 45), Senegalese Navy
- Ferlo (RPB 33), Senegalese Navy
- Conejera (Class Conejera P 31), Senegalese Navy
- Fouta (Osprey 55), Senegalese Navy
- Njambuur (PR 72), Senegalese Navy
Singapore
- Template:Sclass, Republic of Singapore Navy
- PK class Interceptor Craft, Police Coast Guard
- 1st Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard (decommissioned)
- 2nd Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard (decommissioned)
- 3rd Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard
- 4th Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard
- PC class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard
- Template:Sclass
- Template:Sclass, Republic of Singapore Navy
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea (ROK)
Spain
- Meteoro class
- Descubierta class
- Serviola class
- Anaga class
- Barceló class
- Toralla class
- Conejera class
- Chilreu class
- P111 class patrol boat
- Cabo Fradera class
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
- Hugin-class (based on the Norwegian Storm-class, decommissioned) – 16 ships
- Kaparen-class (Hugin-class modified with better subhunting capacity, decommissioned) – 8 ships
- Stockholm-class (commissioned as corvettes, later converted to patrol boats) – 2 ships
- HMS Carlskrona (commissioned as minelayer, later converted to ocean patrol vessel)
Additionally, the Royal Swedish Navy also operates smaller types of patrol boats (Swedish: bevakningsbåt = "guard boat"):
- Typ 60-class (decommissioned) – 17 ships
- Tapper class – 12 ships
The Swedish Coast Guard operate an additional 22 patrol vessels for maritime surveillance.
- Anping-class offshore patrol vessel
- Chiayi-class offshore patrol vessel
- Miaoli-class patrol vessel
- Siraya-class offshore patrol vessel
- Yilan-class patrol vessel
Thailand
- Pattani class (Royal Thai Navy)
- River class (Royal Thai Navy)
- T.991 class (Royal Thai Navy)
- krabi class (Royal Thai Navy)
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
- Kılıç II class
- Kılıç I class
- Yıldız class
- Rüzgar class
- Doğan class
- Kartal class
- Türk class
- Tuzla class
- KAAN 15 class
- KAAN 19 class
- KAAN 29 class
- KAAN 33 class
- SAR 33 class
- SAR 35 class
- 80 class
- Corvette
United Kingdom
- Kingfisher-class patrol vessel of 1935
- Motor Launch of World War II
- Harbour Defence Motor Launch of World War II
- Bird class patrol vessel
- Ford-class seaward defence boat
- River class patrol vessel
- Castle class patrol vessel
- Archer class patrol vessel
- Island class patrol vessel
- Scimitar class patrol vessel
- UKBF 42m Customs Cutter
- Cutlass-class patrol vessel with the Gibraltar Squadron from 2022
United States
United States Navy
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- Combatant Craft Medium - (2015–present)
- Template:Sclass - (1993–2022)
- Mark VI patrol boat - US Navy (2016–present)
United States Coast Guard
- Template:Sclass - (2000–2011) - four boats were transferred to the Coast Guard for a temporary loan, three (2004–2011) have since been returned, while the fourth (2000–2004) was donated to the Philippine Navy
- Marine Protector-class patrol boat – (1998–present)
- Island-class patrol boat – (1985–present)
- Template:Sclass2 – (2012–present)
Venezuela
- Template:Ship (GC-23)
Vietnam
- Type TT-120 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
- Type TT-200 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
- Type TT-400 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
- DN 2000(Damen 9014 class) offshore patrol vessels, Vietnam Coast Guard
References
Template:Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries Template:Authority control