MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Holland delivers fourth multi purpose frigate to Chilean navy

New frigate Almirante Riveros

Holland delivered this week the last of the four frigates sold to the Chilean Navy in the framework of the “Proyecto Puente II” to renew the navy's surface fleet.

The former "Tjerk Hiddes" was renamed "Almirante Riveros" with the ceremony taking place at the Netherlands naval base of Den Helder Dutch Defence minister Cees van der Knaap together with the commander of the Chilean Navy Admiral Rodolfo Codina and Chilean ambassador in The Hague Cecilia Mackenna presided over the flag transfer ceremony. The other three frigates of the renewal project and already delivered are: "Blanco Encalada", "Almirante Latorre" and "Capitán Prat". The Karel Doorman Multi Purpose (M) Class frigates from the Royal Netherlands Navy were built by the De Schelde Group in Flushing and have been operational since 1996. They are equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and surface warfare roles including Harpoon and Sea Sparrow missiles. The incorporation ceremony in Holland coincided with stern words from neighboring Peru's Foreign Affaire minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde who claimed that Chile's recent acquisition of fighter planes "affect the strategic and military balance of the region". "We've already said on several occasions that the massive purchase of weapons and equipment by Chile is a matter of concern for Peru", he underlined. Garcia Belaunde was referring to the recent purchase by Chile of eight US manufactured F-16 fighter bombers. "There are no regulations regarding the maximum number of units each country can have, but we don't see motives to justify the increase in Chile's defense budget and expenditure". However Garcia Belaunde confirmed that next October the 2+2 meetings of Defence and Foreign Affairs ministers from both countries will resume. Chile and Peru have an ongoing dispute regarding maritime limits dating back to the 1880s when both countries became neighbors following the Pacific War. Peru has indicated it is willing to take the case to the International Court of The Hague.