Mexican government priorities mean Benito Juarez sails alone
The Mexican Navy is unlikely to receive additional SIGMA 10514 Patrulla Oceánica de Largo Alcance (POLA) long-range ocean patrol vessels — or other ships in the near future — due to the priorities of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the economic effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The first and only POLA vessel, ARM Benito Juarez (formerly Reformador), is the crown jewel of the Mexican navy for two reasons.
First, it was manufactured by the state-run shipyard ASTIMAR with co-operation from Damen Group (the ship is based on Damen’s SIGMA 10514 frigate design). ASTIMAR already produces an array of platforms
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