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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=xcS66-q-oG8 Oops, video is in Spanish.
They should be saving their money to pay for the wall.
FYI, I was recently in the Baja. There are several army checkpoints where cars are searched for drugs and guns. I found the process a bit intimidating, but the Mexican army was polite and professional. Most of their worries are drugs going north from the southern Baja into Mexicali and Tijuana. The Federales were equally polite and professional, and the old padida (little bribe) is pretty much history.
Slowly, Mexico is joining the rest of North America.
I went through a Mexican army checkpoint driving to Rio Verde in 2013. After we got past the checkpoint, I looked in the back seat and my friend Jorge, who lives and works in San Luis Potosi with me was WHITE.
“Those weren’t soldiers.”
What were they?
Narcos dressed as soldiers.
If you spend any time in Mexico, you’ll notice the soldiers look like a rag tag band of weekend Airsoft players. Uniforms are all different, and I’ve never seen two soldiers with the same type of rifle. I’ve seen a group of soldiers with an HK G3, FAL and an M-16A1 that was so old it was SILVER from where the anodizing had worn off.
Really, I think the narcos are better uniformed and better armed.
I didn’t know the Rio Grande was that big and deep?
Hmm. I bet the Narcos ran a better checkpoint than the regular Army. At least you and your buddy made it safe thru there.
Well the pick up truck would carry more foot pounds of energy than the sheep.
Good point!
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