Damen Signs Contract with Lloyd’s Register for Colombian PES Frigate

Damen Naval has formalized a contract with Lloyd’s Register to oversee the design approval for the Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES) frigate project in Colombia.

The frigate will be constructed locally by Colombian shipbuilder COTECMAR (Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Naval, Marítima y Fluvial) at its Cartagena shipyard.

This development builds on an earlier design study contract between Damen Naval and COTECMAR, culminating in an agreement in August 2024. The contract includes engineering designs, technical support, and the supply of critical shipbuilding materials and equipment for Colombia's first locally constructed frigate.

Lloyd’s Register, which has been providing initial plan approval services since late 2022, is now tasked with executing comprehensive plan approval during the project’s execution phase.

The first PES frigate is scheduled for delivery to the Colombian Navy in 2030.

The PES frigate is modeled after Damen Naval’s SIGMA 10514 series, a design previously adopted by Indonesia and Mexico. The vessel measures 107 meters in length with a beam of 14 meters.

The Indonesian variant of the PES frigate features an overall length of 105.11 meters, a beam of 14.02 meters, and a draught of 3.70 meters at the design waterline. Its displacement is 2,365 tonnes at design waterline. Performance specifications include an economical speed of 15 knots, a maximum speed of 28 knots, and a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. The propulsion system follows a combined diesel or electric (CODOE) configuration with two 10,000 kW diesel engines and two 1,300 kW electric propulsion units, which drive two controllable pitch propellers. The frigate can accommodate up to 122 personnel.

The standard configuration includes advanced sensors such as a 3D surveillance radar, radar and electro-optical fire control systems, a hull-mounted sonar, and a combat management system. Armaments include a 76 mm medium-caliber gun, a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), two sets of four surface-to-surface missile launchers, a 12-cell surface-to-air missile launcher, and two triple torpedo launching systems. Electronic warfare capabilities include electronic support measures, electronic countermeasures, and two decoy launchers.

The Colombian Navy variant of the PES frigate, based on images released by the Colombian Ministry of Defense, will feature enhancements in weaponry and sensors. It will be equipped with a Leonardo 76 mm STRALES gun capable of firing guided anti-air ammunition, 16 Mk56 vertical launch system cells for ESSM surface-to-air missiles, a Rheinmetall Millennium CIWS, and eight Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles. Sensor upgrades include an NS100 radar for surveillance and tracking, two STIR 1.2 fire control radars, and a hull-mounted sonar for anti-submarine warfare.