Ophrys class

The Ophrys class is a French Navy dive support and mine-countermeasures vessel class built by Merré Shipyard and designed by Neuman. The aluminium, low-magnetic boats support clearance divers in shallow-water mine disposal and use diesel-electric propulsion for slow station-keeping.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Ophrys class, Dive support and mine countermeasures vessel class, Naval Systems

Image source: VSP ophrys.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: Merré Shipyard
Type: Dive support and mine countermeasures vessel class
Service note: 2022-present
Designer: Neuman
Designed: 2019-2022
Produced: 2019-2026
Number built: 8 ordered
Variants: First-of-class Ophrys, VSP series

Also Known As

Ophrys-class
Classe Ophrys
Vedettes de soutien à la plongée
VSP
VSP Ophrys

naval maritime mine warfare shipboard

Specifications

Length: 26.5 m
Beam: 7.0 m
Draught: 1.7 m
Displacement: 105 tonnes full load
Crew: 6 plus up to 30 divers
Speed: 13 knots maximum
Range: 250 nautical miles
Propulsion: Two 440 kW diesel engines, electric low-speed motors, and a bow thruster
Sensors: Furuno radar and towed sonar with mine detection out to 100 m
Hull: Aluminium construction with low magnetic signature
Armament: Manually operated 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun mount for self-defence

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: First-of-class Ophrys was handed over in November 2022; follow-on boats were ordered for delivery through 2026.
Used by: French Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

No publicly documented use in a named armed conflict found in the sources reviewed. Public sources describe Ophrys-class vessels as diving tenders for shallow-water mine-countermeasure support, with delivery and replacement activity beginning in the 2020s.

Timeline

Ophrys class Key Events

Dec 1, 2019
First boat contract awarded
The French procurement agency awarded Merré Shipyard the contract for the first VSP boat, launching the class program.
Sources: DGA launches series production of new diving tenders for French Navy, La DGA lance la production des vedettes de soutien à la plongée
Nov 14, 2022
Ophrys handed over to DGA
The lead boat was handed to the DGA for an operational-use period with French Navy clearance divers in Toulon.
Sources: DGA launches series production of new diving tenders for French Navy
Mar 2, 2023
Series production starts
The DGA announced that production of the seven follow-on boats could begin after successful trials of Ophrys.
Sources: La DGA lance la production des vedettes de soutien à la plongée, DGA launches series production of new diving tenders for French Navy

Ophrys class Images

Ophrys class, Dive support and mine countermeasures vessel class, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Vsp 2.png - Wikimedia Commons

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Sources

DGA launches series production of new diving tenders for French NavyPublisher: Janes | Note: Supports series production start, the French Navy shallow-water mine-countermeasure role, Merré Shipyard contract context, and the first boat's handover and delivery schedule. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Ophrys – New minehunting dive boat delivered to French NavyPublisher: Baird Maritime | Note: Supports the class identity, builder and designer context, dimensions, displacement, propulsion, range, crew, sensors, aluminium hull, and mine-countermeasures role. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 La DGA lance la production des vedettes de soutien à la plongéePublisher: French Ministry of the Armed Forces | Note: Supports the official French defense announcement that the DGA launched production of the Ophrys-class VSP series. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 VSP ophrys.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the lead Ophrys-class image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Vsp 2.png - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the second Ophrys-class gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25