COTECMAR and Damen team up for Colombian frigate replacement programme
Conceptual image of one of the new frigates for the Colombian Navy. (Image: Damen)
The PES programme to replace 1980s-vintage frigates in Colombia is making progress, but will the South American country learn lessons from the Mexican failure with POLA?
The Plataformas Estrategicas de Superficie (PES) programme for the Colombian Navy is finally setting sail after six years, after Colombian shipbuilding corporation COTECMAR and Damen signed a contract on 27 September to jointly develop the design for new frigates.
A Damen spokesperson told Shephard: ‘According to the Colombian Navy long-term replacement programme, they aim to replace the existing frigate fleet with five new ones.’
The Colombian Navy requires replacements for its fleet of four Almirante Padilla-class frigates built in the early 1980s. A key objective of PES was to find a partner for COTECMAR to increase the Colombian
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026]()
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer]()
Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer
The sixth Canada’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is currently at the final stages of construction within Irving Shipbuilding.
