PARIS, March 18 (UPI) -- Thales and DCNS of France have announced their completion of modernization of four Colombian Navy Almirante Padilla class frigates.
The frigates, built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft of Germany, are each 325 feet long, 37 feet in the beam, have a speed of 27 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles.
During the modernization, conducted under a 2009 contract, Thales -- with local shipyard Cotecmar -- installed and integrated a SMART-S Mk2 surveillance radar, STING EO Mk2 electro-optic weapon control system, MIRADOR optronic weapon control system, VIGILE 200S electronic support measures system, communications systems and Terma's SKWS decoys launching system on each of the ships.
Thales also modernized the vessels' Altesse communications intelligence systems.
"This program demonstrates that Thales is perfectly capable of realizing a large modernization program within an agreed timeframe and according to the customer's requirements," said Aniss Aqallal, Thales Colombia Country Director. "It also proves that modernizing existing platforms is a good way to considerably extend the ships' life cycles, and significantly enhance their capabilities."
DCNS Naval Systems Senior Vice President Pierre Legros said, "The successful modernization of Colombia's Almirante Padilla frigate demonstrates DCNS's ability to lead the overall project management of such a modernization program to the complete satisfaction of the client."
DCNS was the prime contractor for the modernization program, while Thales was the lead systems integrator for the combat systems and communications suites for the frigates.
