Sea Trials of Damen-made Mexican Navy Frigate Complete

The Mexican Navy and Damen Shipyards, along with subcontractors and suppliers have completed successful sea trials of the Navy’s POLA-class ARM Reformador.

The announcement to build the Long Range Ocean Patrol (“POLA” from its initials in Spanish) vessel was made in June 2018.

 “The programme of sea trials was comprehensive, including testing of platform and combat systems in addition to training of Mexican Navy crews,” Damen said in a statement Friday.

The Mexican equivalent of Damen’s SIGMA Frigate 10514, has a length of 107 metres, displacement of 2570 tons, and a beam of 14 metres. It will be able to sail at speeds of up to 25+ knots and has an endurance of more than 20 days at sea.

The ship will be able to perform long range search and rescue operations, and humanitarian aid. “POLA will also allow the Mexican state to increase its surveillance coverage and the protection of Mexican maritime interests beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone,” a Damen representative had said last year.