ASTINAVE EP shipyard in Ecuador has selected Fassmer’s MPV70 MKII design for Armada del Ecuador’s (Ecuadorian Navy) new Multipurpose Combat Vessel programme.

MPV70 MKII, which belongs to a family of new Fassmer naval vessels, is a new design that focusses on a combination of support and patrol roles.

It will provide fleet-level asset optimisation and enhance the capabilities of the Ecuadorian Navy for disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

ASTINAVE EP shipyard in Guayaquil will build the vessel, while design, engineering, technical support, and material packages will be provided by Fassmer.

The design of the newly constructed ship will feature the shipyard’s Orion combat management system and an integrated mast. The mast will include a full digital radar co-developed by Italy’s Virtualabs and ASTINAVE EP.



The MPV70 MKII has been designed to be capable of surveillance and command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) configuration.

It will include two stern launched interceptor boats and a large flight deck (11t) that provides effective patrol and deterrence capabilities.

The MPV70 MKII can handle various containers and liquid cargo and has been designed with RAS transfer systems to support other ships.

The design will also improve the logistics abilities of Ecuadorian Navy and increase its presence in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The navy’s search and rescue capabilities, along with its ability to protect fisheries and other natural resources, will increase once the vessel joins its fleet.

The selection of Fassmer for this contract was performed through an international tender process. The contract was signed with ASTINAVE shipyard in December 2019.