The Government of Chile completed negotiations with his French counterpart
for the acquisition of amphibious landing ship, Foudre LPD. This ship
would replace the Newport class Valdivia LST, retired from active duty
with the Navy of Chile on January 14, 2011, after 15 years of service.
French Navy operated two Foudre class ships, the Foudre (L9011), commissioned
in 1990 and the Siroco (L9012) commissioned in 1998, both built by DCNS.
The class is capable of landing a cavalry regiment of mechanized infantry
on unprepared coasts, serve as command ship, serve as a hospital ship
with 2 fully equipped operating rooms and 47 beds as well as assisting
in humanitarian relief missions , in which case it can accommodate up
to 1,600 people. Its endurance at sea is about 30 days. |
Foudre LPD