The first of two patrol ships for the Navy of the Armed Forces of Montenegro has been launched, it will be named "Petar I Njegoš"

The first of two patrol ships intended for the Navy of the Army of Montenegro was launched today at the KERSHIP shipyard in Lorraine, and will sail under the name "Petar I Njegoš", announced the office of Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić.

In addition to Bečić, the ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović, Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro General Miodrag Vuksanović, Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro and Head of the Montenegrin Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie Anđela Vojinović, as well as the ambassadors of Montenegro and France, French parliamentarians, representatives of partner navies and other guests.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the launching of "Petar I Njegoš" represents much more than a moment in the realization of one of Montenegro's largest defense projects in recent history.

"Today we are not just launching a ship into the sea. Today we are launching the result of a serious state decision, trust between two countries and a partnership that has built its foundations throughout history, and today is gaining a new, contemporary dimension. What was a grand vision and a demanding state undertaking more than a year ago is today taking on its concrete form - a ship that will bear the name, flag and tradition of Montenegro, have its own crew and its own place in the defense system of our country," said Bečić.

He said that "Petar I Njegoš", after several months of testing in France, will sail into Montenegrin waters in early spring, while the second ship, "Petar II Njegoš", should sail in early autumn next year.

Bečić emphasized that the project is given special weight by the fact that the new capacity of the Montenegrin Army is being built in France, which, as he stated, is connected to Montenegro by a long and strong friendship, historical experience and strong mutual respect.

"Montenegro and France are not just partners. They are states that, through different historical eras, have known how to recognize the value of mutual trust. Our two countries have connected in times of great challenges, and today we are connected by European values, alliance within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, common interests and a clear vision of the European future. That is why 'Petar I Njegoš' is not just the result of French shipbuilding expertise and Montenegrin need to modernize its defense capacities. It is proof that historical friendship can be transformed into a modern strategic partnership, and political will into a concrete result," Bečić emphasized.

He thanked the French engineers, experts and employees who participated in the construction of the ship, as well as the Montenegrin team, which, as he stated, has been involved in the project from the beginning.

"What is being built in France today will return to Montenegro tomorrow as knowledge, experience, expertise and new capacity. The ship will sail the Adriatic, but the knowledge of the people who created it will remain in Montenegro," said Bečić.

Speaking about the modernization of the Army of Montenegro, Bečić said that it is not only a matter of technique and equipment, but also the state's responsibility towards the security of citizens and international obligations.

"A strong state is not one that talks about its strength, but one that is responsible, capable and ready to protect what has been entrusted to it. By modernizing its defense capabilities, Montenegro shows not only that it fulfills its obligations to its allies, but also that it seriously protects its security, its sovereignty and its space in the Adriatic. When we do this together with our allies and European partners, we confirm that security and European integration are not two separate policies. They are part of the same vision - the vision of a stable, secure, strong and European Montenegro," he said.

Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović said that the real strength of the system is not only reflected in modern equipment, but also in the professionalism, training and responsibility of the members of the Navy of the Army of Montenegro.

"I expect members of the Navy of the Army of Montenegro to be worthy of the trust that the state places in you and to carry the flag of Montenegro responsibly and honorably, whether sailing in our territorial waters or performing tasks in international missions and operations," said Krapović.

He added that the ship is a means, the crew is an ability, and professionalism is what turns that ability into the strength of the state.

Krapović thanked the designers, engineers, shipbuilders and other experts who participated in the construction of the ship, as well as members of the Ministry of Defense, the Army of Montenegro and the Navy.

He said that with the launching of "Petar I Njegoš", the project to build two patrol ships took concrete form, while the construction of "Petar II Njegoš" continues the cooperation between Montenegro and France on the modernization of the capacities of the Navy of the Army of Montenegro.