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
-
![UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction]()
UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction
The expansion of the Virginia-class submarine construction to UK shores could accelerate the project as US shipbuilders continue to fall short of delivery goals.
-
![US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter]()
US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter
The US Navy intends to publish a draft request for proposals in Q2 2026 and conduct an open competition for the supply of new electro-optical and infrared capabilities for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.
-
![NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition]()
NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition
Uncrewed surface vessels have shifted from a desirable capability to a critical one for navies. But should these systems be bought outright, rented as a service or rapidly built using commercial off-the-shelf components?
