Bečić attends launch ceremony of first patrol vessel for Montenegrin Navy

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, together with Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro General Miodrag Vuksanović, Head of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro Anđela Vojinović, as well as the Ambassadors of Montenegro and France, French parliamentarians, representatives of partner navies and numerous guests, attended today the launch ceremony of the first of two patrol vessels intended for the Montenegrin Navy, at the KERSHIP shipyard in Lorient. The vessel will sail under the name “Petar I Njegoš.”

Addressing those present, Bečić said that the launch of “Petar I Njegoš” represents much more than an important milestone in the implementation of one of the largest defence projects in Montenegro’s recent history.

Today, we are not merely putting a vessel into the water. Today, we are putting into the water the result of a serious state decision, the trust between two countries and a partnership whose foundations were built throughout history and which is today taking on a new, modern dimension. What was more than a year ago a major vision and a demanding national undertaking is today taking concrete form – a vessel that will carry the name, flag and tradition of Montenegro, have its own crew and its place within our country’s defence system. Today, we can say that, following a testing period of several months in France, the ‘Petar I Njegoš’ will sail into Montenegrin waters in early spring, while the ‘Petar II Njegoš’ will do so in early autumn next year, Bečić said.

He stressed that this moment carries particular significance because Montenegro’s new defence capability is being built precisely in France, a country with which Montenegro shares a long-standing and strong friendship, historical experience and deep mutual respect.

Montenegro and France are not merely partners. They are countries that, throughout different historical periods, have recognised the value of mutual trust. Our two countries stood together in times of great challenges, and today we are united by European values, our alliance within NATO, shared interests and a clear vision of a European future.

That is why ‘Petar I Njegoš’ is not merely the result of French shipbuilding expertise and Montenegro’s need to modernise its defence capabilities. It is proof that historic friendship can be transformed into a modern strategic partnership, and political will into a tangible result.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed particular gratitude to the French partners, their engineers, experts and all employees involved in the construction of the vessel, stressing that behind every major national undertaking are people whose knowledge, work and dedication give value to every achievement.

We owe our great gratitude to all those whose knowledge and work have made this moment a reality. Alongside our thanks to our French friends, I would like to recognise our people in the Montenegrin team who have been part of this process from day one – following every step, gaining new knowledge, exchanging experience and working together with their French colleagues to build something that is much more lasting than the vessel itself.

What is being built in France today will return to Montenegro tomorrow as knowledge, experience, expertise and new capability. The vessel will sail the Adriatic, but the knowledge of the people who helped create it will remain in Montenegro. This is one of the greatest and most lasting values of this project.

Bečić stressed that the modernisation of the Armed Forces of Montenegro is not merely a matter of modern equipment and technology, but also a matter of the State’s responsibility for its own security, its citizens and its international obligations.

A strong state is not one that speaks about its strength, but one that is responsible, capable and ready to protect what has been entrusted to it. By modernising its defence capabilities, Montenegro is not only demonstrating that it is meeting its obligations towards its Allies, but also that it is seriously safeguarding its security, sovereignty and its maritime space in the Adriatic.

And when we do this together with our Allies and European partners, we reaffirm 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.

Bečić said that today’s event represents an important moment for modern Montenegro, as well as confirmation that the State can successfully implement major and complex projects when they are underpinned by a clear vision, responsibility and political determination.

Today, we can be proud, but above all, we must be aware of the responsibility that such achievements entail. The value of this moment lies not only in the steel, technology and capabilities of the vessel we are launching today. Its true value lies in the fact that we have shown that Montenegro knows how to make major decisions, see them through and take full responsibility for them.

This is not the end of one project. It is proof that we can deliver undertakings that are much greater.

When we have a clear vision, sound state policy, dedicated people and reliable Allies, the limits of our possibilities become the limits of our ambition. And our ambition must be a Montenegro that is strong, secure, respected and fully integrated into the European family to which it belongs.

At the end of his address, Bečić sent a message to the French partners, stressing that “Petar I Njegoš” will remain a lasting testament to the relationship between the two countries.

May “Petar I Njegoš” be a lasting symbol of the friendship between Montenegro and France. May it be proof that trust between states has tangible value and that the strongest partnerships are built when words become deeds.

May its name remind us of our history, its presence on the Adriatic of our responsibility, and its launch of what we can achieve together.

Because we do not protect our country merely by preserving what we have inherited. We protect it by making it stronger, safer and better prepared for the future with every generation.

Today is such a day.

I wish you calm seas and a successful voyage under the honourable Montenegrin flag, Bečić concluded.

Speaking about the responsibility that comes with new capabilities and is entrusted to the people who will operate them, Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović stressed that the true strength of such a system lies not only in modern equipment, but above all in the professionalism, training and responsibility of the members of the Montenegrin Navy, who will carry out tasks under their country’s flag both at home and in the international environment.

I expect the members of the Montenegrin Navy to live up to the trust placed in you by the State and to carry the flag of Montenegro responsibly and honourably, whether sailing in our territorial waters or carrying out tasks in international missions and operations.

The vessel is a means.
The crew is the capability.
And professionalism is what turns that capability into the strength of the State.

Precisely while these vessels are being built, you have people from whom you can learn, but also with whom you can exchange your experience.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my particular gratitude to all of you whose work has helped make this moment a reality – the designers, engineers, shipbuilders and all experts involved in its creation, as well as the members of the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces of Montenegro and the Navy who have participated and continue to participate in this project, Krapović said.

With the launch of “Petar I Njegoš,” a project that began more than a year ago as a strategic decision is today taking concrete form, confirming that trust between friendly and allied countries is best strengthened through projects that leave a lasting mark and enhance the system. With the continued construction of “Petar II Njegoš,” Montenegro and France are continuing to build not only modern capabilities together, but also laying even stronger foundations for a long-term partnership and trust.