New Protector-Class Patrol Boats Monitor Border With Argentina

The Uruguayan navy has deployed former U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats to monitor its waterways on the border with Argentina, reports MercoPress (Uruguay).

The Marine Protector-class boats were built between 1999 and 2009 and donated to Uruguay. The boats, renamed Río Arapey, Río de La Plata, and Río Yaguarón in Uruguayan service, departed the U.S. in September 2022, reported El Telégrafo (Uruguay).

Uruguay oversaw an overhaul of the boats as part of a navy modernization program, officials.

The boats are being replaced in U.S. service by the Sentinel-class.