Defiant-class patrol vessel

The United States is building 13 small patrol vessels, based on the Damen Stan 2606 patrol vessel design, for small Caribbean nations, to be known as the Defiant class. The United States Navy, which will play an oversight role in the ship's construction, also calls the design Near Coastal Patrol Vessels. The $54 million contract was awarded to Metal Shark Boats of Louisiana.

Partner nations include Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Guatemala.

Like the United States Coast Guard's very successful Marine Protector-class patrol boat, also based on the Damen 2606 design, the Defiant-class vessels are to be equipped with a stern launching ramp.

The vessels will be able to accommodate a crew of ten or more—similar to the Marine Protector class. The vessels are powered by a pair of C32 Caterpillar 2000 shp diesel engines.