MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile purchases three Royal Navy frigates

Chile's Defence Minister Jaime Ravinet confirmed Friday that the government had authorized the purchase of three second hand frigates from the Royal Navy.

The operation follows an offer from the United Kingdom to replace three units from the Chilean Navy to be decommissioned in the near future: "Lynch", "Condell" and "Zenteno".

Mr. Ravinet and the Chilean Navy Commander Admiral Rodolfo Codima said the frigates are Type 23 which together with four other Dutch frigates expected to be delivered in 2006 and 2007 will have completed the renewal of the country's surface fleet. Last year the Chilean Navy incorporated "Almirante Williams", the former Type 22 frigate HMS Sheffield.

No financial details of the operation were revealed. The Chilean Navy is also renewing its submarine fleet with the purchase of two newly built submersibles currently undergoing tests in France and Spain.

The Scorpone Type submarines were jointly built in Spanish and French shipyards. The "O'Higgins" will be delivered at the end of this year and "Carreras" in 2006.

The recently appointed commander of the Chilean Navy, Admiral Codima next week is travelling to the United Kingdom where he has been invited and is expected to visit the future Chilean frigates.