# Milkor Commander Patrol Craft Undergoing Sea Trials

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/11/milkor-commander-patrol-craft-undergoing-sea-trials/
- Published: 2025-11-10T22:52:10+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

Milkor UAE’s new Commander high-speed patrol craft has been observed undergoing 
its final qualification sea trials off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The 16.5-meter vessel
was put through a series of high-energy maneuvers, including crash stops, high-speed
hairpin turns, and figure-eight patterns, to validate its design specifications 
ahead of its formal market launch.

The successful completion of these trials marks the final stage of a rapid development
program that began in 2023. A scale model was [first displayed](https://www.military.africa/2024/02/milkor-unveils-commander-patrol-craft-at-world-defence-show/)
at the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh in February 2024, followed by the [prototype’s presentation ](https://www.military.africa/2025/02/milkor-nears-launch-of-commander-high-speed-patrol-boat/)
at NAVDEX in Abu Dhabi in February 2025. The vessel is now on track for its planned
market introduction.

The Commander is an aluminium monohull vessel designed for a demanding, high-threat
environment. Milkor is targeting coast guard and law enforcement agencies in the
Middle East and Africa, offering a platform optimised for border control, anti-piracy
operations, interdiction, and countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU)
fishing.

### Performance and Handling

The trials near Abu Dhabi focused on validating the vessel’s high-manoeuvrability
design, which is central to its role as an interceptor. The boat is powered by either
twin Caterpillar C12.9 or Volvo D13 engines, each producing 1,000 horsepower.

These engines are paired with twin waterjet propulsion units, either Hamilton HJ403
or MLP 400X. This propulsion choice is a key design trade-off. While propellers 
can be more efficient at lower patrol speeds, waterjets provide superior acceleration
and exceptional manoeuvrability at both high and low speeds. During trials, the 
Commander demonstrated its ability to execute a full turn within a 48-meter radius,
or just three boat lengths, at high speed. The waterjets also give the vessel a 
very shallow draught of 0.8 meters, allowing it to operate in littoral waters and
close to shore.

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The vessel achieves a top speed of 45 knots, with a rapid cruising speed of 35 knots.
At this cruise speed, it offers a range of 500 nautical miles, enabling it to conduct
extended offshore patrols and rapid-response missions.

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James Cottrell, Head of Marine Projects at Milkor UAE, stated the trials were essential
for validating the design under stress. “It’s important to put the boat through 
high-energy manoeuvres to make sure everything is performing as per the specification,”
he said. “It’s always satisfying to validate a design you have put a lot of work
into. Commander is great to drive; she handles beautifully and tackles rough seas
effortlessly.”

### Design for Rough Seas and Survivability

A core design feature of the Commander is its seakeeping ability, which is intended
to be superior to other vessels in its size class. The aluminium hull is engineered
for high strength, allowing the boat to remain stable at extreme heel angles. It
is class-approved for operation in up to Sea State 5, meaning it is built to withstand
waves up to four meters high.

This robust construction directly supports its intended role, allowing crews to 
operate further offshore and in rougher conditions than typical coastal craft might
permit. This extends the operational envelope for counter-smuggling or search and
rescue (SAR) missions, which often must be conducted in adverse weather.

Survivability for the crew, which can number up to 10 personnel, is another key 
consideration. The vessel is equipped with bulletproof glass and spall lining to
provide ballistic protection for the crew during interdiction or law enforcement
operations. Armament is centred on a remote weapon station (RWS), allowing the crew
to operate the weapon from the safety of the cabin.

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### A Multi-Sensor Approach

For its primary surveillance and interdiction tasks, the Commander is equipped with
an advanced sensor suite. Unlike conventional patrol boats that may rely on a single
radar and camera, Milkor has integrated multiple systems.

The sensor package includes a multimodal radar system, an electro-optical/infrared(
EO/IR) gimbal for long-range visual identification, and a 360-degree thermal camera
for close-in situational awareness. This multi-layered approach enhances target 
tracking and threat detection, allowing the crew to build a more comprehensive tactical
picture.

With its full load displacement of 20 tonnes, the Commander is a dense, sensor-rich,
and highly agile platform. It is built to fill the gap between small, fast inshore
interceptors and larger, slower, but more sea-worthy offshore patrol vessels, offering
a blend of both capabilities.

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