With a ceremony held at the breakwater pier of the Naval Base in Valparaíso, the Chilean Navy celebrated the 17th anniversary of the raising of the flag of the Type 23 Frigate “Almirante Lynch” (FF-07). The event took place on the flight deck of the unit, with the presence of the Commander in Chief of the Squadron, Rear Admiral Mauricio Arenas, along with Commanders from other Units and the crew of the ship.
During the ceremony, a historical review of the frigate was conducted, tracing its origins back to the Royal Navy, where it served from 1997 until its sale to the Chilean Navy ten years later. In addition to the “Almirante Lynch,” Chile acquired the FF-05 “Almirante Cochrane” (formerly HMS “Norfolk”) and the FF-06 “Almirante Condell” (formerly HMS “Marlborough”) frigates, units that are part of the National Squadron.
Launched as HMS “Grafton” in 1997, it has a standard displacement of 3500 tons, which increases to 4200 tons at its maximum capacity. Its propulsion system consists of a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODLAG) system comprising 4 Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators, 2 GEC electric motors, and 2 Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C turbines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 28 knots.
In recent years, these frigates underwent a modernization process as part of the Integrated Anti-Air Defense Project, which aimed to improve capabilities by replacing the main radar, combat management system, and anti-aircraft defense missiles.
The modernization was carried out by Lockheed Martin Canada and involved integrating the new CMS 330 combat management system into the units, used in the Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigates. One of the most important aspects of the contract was the inclusion of the state shipyard ASMAR and Chilean companies in the sector such as DESA and TDS, to support electronic warfare measures and system connectivity on board.
Another highlight is the inclusion of new systems to maintain the combat capabilities of the frigates. A new TRS 4D three-dimensional radar was installed in conjunction with the Sea Ceptor system equipped with MBDA CAMM interceptor missiles, designed to replace the old Sea Wolf missiles that equipped the Type 23 frigates.
Its armament includes 8 HARPOON anti-surface missiles, 1 SEACEPTOR missile launcher, 1 4.5″ MK-8 MOD 1 gun, 2 30mm machine guns, 4 torpedo tubes (MK-46), and an embarked Cougar SH-32 helicopter with anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities.
- Image credits: Chilean Navy
You may also like: Special Forces of the Chilean and U.S. Armed Forces conduct Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) exercise
