Chile to Equip Ex-Australian Frigate with SM-2 Block IIIA Missiles

Chile is likely to place an order for Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA missiles to arm the Navy’s Adelaide-class frigates formerly used by Australia.

The U.S. State Department today approved Chile’s request to buy Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA missiles from Raytheon.

The contract is estimated to cost $85 million. It would cover 16 SM-2 Block IIIA missiles, 2 MK 89 Mod 0 Guidance Sections; and 1 Target Detection Device Kit (including shroud), MK 45 Mod 14, and related support.

This sale would support Chile’s anti-air warfare capabilities for the two recently transferred former Adelaide-class frigates to the Chilean Navy, a Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) release said.

The frigates, Melbourne (FFG 05) and Newcastle (FFG 06), were officially transferred by Australia to Chile in April 2020. Poland and Greece had also expressed their intention to buy the warships, which are relatively in good technical condition.

Both ships were purchased under Chile’s Puente IV program to replace the two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy’s Jacob van Heemskerck-class frigates built in the mid-1980s and purchased by Chile in 2005.

You have to ask yourself, why would Chile need to upgrade like this? Do they have a problem with a neighboring country? I believe Chile sits astride of some of the best fishing grounds in the Pacific. I think the answer is they plan on kicking the Chinese fishing fleet out of their waters. To do that with impunity they need to be able to stand up to the Chinese. The Chinese have been known to use their military might to threaten the light coastal units of many nations which would ordinarily chase off fishing boats.

On a broader topic. I think that when China finally tries to invade Taiwan, the Chinese will suddenly have to deal with “issues” all over the globe. Someone may be interdicting their oil and holding ransom while the Chinese are thoroughly engaged elsewhere. You will probably see most countries evicting Chinese fishermen from their territorial waters. I wonder if China has gamed this out in any real sense. The bullies of the world assume that everyone is afraid of them no matter what. But as China become more compromised they may find more and more players throwing in their lot with China’s enemies, even if in a passive aggressive way.

Let’s just say that you are thinking on the right tracks.A lot of regional players have quietly developed long range cruise missiles and ballistic missiles that place part or all of China withing their respective missile ranges.

Many of China;s neighbours have been upgrading their existing military capabilities as well as pursing military expansion programmes. Moreover, several countries in the region have developed military training agreements, and have been conducting joint military exercises and drills.

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