MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean Navy incorporates two refurbished frigates

Two refurbished Dutch built frigates incorporated to the Chilean Navy surface fleet were officially received Monday in the port of Valparaíso.

Frigates "Almirante Latorre" and "Almirante Blanco Escalada" replace two decommissioned vessels and are the first two of four Dutch frigates purchased by the Chilean Navy in the framework of the Puente II Project to renew the surface fleet.

"With the arrival of these frigates we're materializing an important step in the process of renewing the units of the surface fleet", said Chilean Navy Commander Admiral Rodolfo Codina.

"We're recovering a vital operational capacity in line with the tasks and roles that the government demands from the Navy", he added underlining the professional and technological challenge that the new units represent "particularly their advanced equipment, ocean fare capacity and capability to operate with other friendly navies".

"Almirante Latorre" is an "L" class frigate, specifically for anti aircraft warfare, 130 metres long and 3.750 tons displacement. It has gas turbine propulsion, can steam at 30 knots and carries a crew of 174 plus 23 officers.

"Almirante Blanco Escalada" is an "M" multipurpose frigate, 122 metres long and displaces 3.320 tons. She can be powered alternatively by gas turbines or diesel engines and carries a crew of 140 and 16 officers. She has a landing deck for helicopters.

Two other similar Dutch frigates are scheduled to be delivered in 2007 to the Chilean Navy.