MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Royal Navy sells three S. Atlantic Patrol frigates to Chile

Chilean Minister of Defence Jaime Ravinet signed Wednesday in London the agreement for the purchase of three former Royal Navy Type 23 frigates, HMS Marlborough, HMS Norfolk and HMS Grafton. The British government was represented by Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement.

The new contract follows the sale of HMS Sheffield, now the FMG Almirante Williams in 2003 and paves the way for delivery of the three ships to the Chilean Navy towards the end of 2008. All four units served time as the South Atlantic patrol vessel and visited the Falkland Islands regularly.

"These three Type 23 frigates have become available as a consequence of the restructuring of our Armed Forces to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. The Royal Navy will continue to operate the Type 23. I am delighted that these excellent ships will now also see service in the Chilean Navy, remarked Lord Drayson.

"This sale will continue the long tradition of naval links with Chile, who are an increasingly important partner for the UK in international peacekeeping and security operations. This agreement will appreciably enhance Chile's ability to contribute in that field."

In July 2004 then Secretary of State, Geoff Hoon, announced a reduction in Royal Navy Destroyer and Frigate numbers from 31 to 25. This was to be achieved, in part, by the withdrawal from service of three Type 23 frigates, Norfolk, Marlborough and Grafton.

Chile signed a Letter of Intent in December 2004, modified by an Addendum in June 05, to purchase all three ships. Following a period of contract negotiations with Chile and the UK industrial prime contractor, BAE Systems, all parties are now in a position to sign a Sales Agreement for the transfer of the ships to Chile.

The value of the sale to Chile which includes the ships, pre-sale sanitization and maintenance, and crew training, is £135m, almost 250 million US dollars.

"We are decommissioning old military equipment which has become extremely costly to upkeep and operate, and replacing it with more modern units which are more efficient and easier maintain and operate", said Chilean minister Ravinet who added that most of the Chilean Navy fleet is over thirty years old.

"We're taking advantage of the opportunities following the end of the Cold War and the modernization programs undertaken by NATO members which are sending to market virtually new equipment at very convenient prices", insisted Ravinet.

As to the regional naval balance Mr. Ravinet pointed out that Argentina and Peru modernized their fleets with the purchase of new vessels in the late seventies and early eighties, while Chile kept the equipment it had.

"Peru is currently acquiring more Lupo frigates from Italy and Chile hasn't said a word", concluded Mr. Ravinet.