Posted on 08/18/2017 5:32:15 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
On Thursday 17th August, the Secretary of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, took part in a symbolic coin ceremony at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) at Vlissingen in the Netherlands. He was accompanied by the Secretary of National Defense, General Salvador Cienfuegos. The Coin Ceremony is an event which takes place at the keel laying, in the early stages of a ship's construction. In it, the shipbuilders place one or two coins under the keelblock of the new ship to bless the ship and as a symbol of good fortune. On this occasion, the vessel is a Damen Sigma 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel.
The Mexican Navy is a long-standing client of Damen and currently operates no fewer than ten Damen vessels in its fleet. The project for a Sigma 10514 was signed earlier this year.
As with the previous Sigma vessels Damen built for the Indonesian Navy, the vessel for Mexico will be constructed modularly, with shipbuilding activities taking place in both the Netherlands and Mexico. Two of the six modules will be constructed at DSNS’ location in Vlissingen, whilst the remaining four will be built ata Mexican Shipyard. Upon conclusion, the six modules will be integrated in Mexico. This way Damen contributes to the development of the shipbuilding capabilities of the Mexican Naval Industry related to control, propulsion, and detection systems.
A Damen spokesperson said of the contract, “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for this high profile project. This vessel will once again demonstrate Damen’s capabilities to build for any country in the world in order to meet client requirements. The Sigma 10514 will play a key role in the Mexican Navy’s plans to modernise its fleet.”
The Sigma 10514 is designed to undertake a wide range of missions. The vessel will allow the Mexican Navy to participate in international exercises, humanitarian missions, and to increase its presence in its territorial watersand Economic Exclusive Zone of the country.
In Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) configuration, the 10514 PKR frigate is 105-metre long with a displacement of 2,365 tonne. Primarily, the vessel will be operated for Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, and Anti-submarine Warfare. However, it is also compatible with Maritime Security, Search and Rescue, Patrol, and Humanitarian Support tasks. TNI AL will be strongly empowered by this state-of-the-art maritime capacity.
TNI AL's (Indonesian Navy) first SIGMA 10514 PKR (Perusak Kawal Rudal) Frigate in sea trials. Damen picture
CGI of the Mexican Navy's Damen Sigma 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel
Update:
An image of the Sigma 10514 in Mexican Navy configuration has been released. Compared to the Indonesian Frigate, the Mexican vessel is fitted with a BAE Systems Bofors 57Mk3 57mm main gun (in place of a 76mm), a 12.7mm remote weapon system right behind it (in place of a Rheinmetall 27MLG CIWS). Similar to the PKR, the Mexican Navy opted for the Smart Mk2 radar by Thales. It appears that the Mexican "Long Range Patrol Vessel" will not be fitted with VLS cells but a Raytheon RAM launcher will be fitted on top of the helicopter hangar.
I never even thought of such a thing as a “Mexican Navy”. The next thing I suppose is; you’ll be telling me they also have a Mexican Air Force.
The Bofors 57 is an awesome gun. You give up some range (9m vs 12m) compared to the 76, but it puts more metal on target faster—4 rounds per second, proximity fused for air threats, or set to explode into or passing just above a surface target.
Meanwhile, the USN is involved in an ongoing fiasco trying to fill this niche with the Littoral Combat Ship.
” A Raytheon RAM launcher. “
I don’t think a bighorn sheep is very aerodynamic.
In 2000 I was scuba diving in Cozumel when a body came up next to the boat. It was a dead diver who had been in the water for some weeks. Our boat captain called the Mexican Coast Guard station only a few miles away and was told that they wouldn’t come out because it was Sunday afternoon and they were off.
Probably more so than a pickup truck.
A Dodge Ram pickup could haul, launch and tow the current Mexican Navy boats.
Yes, they do.
Just curious, but what/who does the Mexican Navy protect against ?
The Mexican Navy protects Mexican territorial waters.
Unlawful importation of food hygiene?
Muy Bueno !
The Mexican Army has become so corrupted by the narco that the Mexican government (what’s left of it) uses the Navy to fight their drug wars. This boat will be doing only that.
Claro! :-)
Last time we visited Ixtapa, Mexican Marines patroled the beach.
Yep. The Mexican Marines have done an amazing job of taking the hurt to the Cartels.
Indeed. If I recall the French tried launching a cow, but that was from a castle, not a ship.
A Mexican Air Force P-47 Squadron, under US operational command, performed very well in the Philippines in 1945.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/201st_Fighter_Squadron_(Mexico)
Interesting. I did not know that .
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