DEFEA 2021: Damen displays Sigma 11515 frigate.

The Damen Group is a Dutch defense, shipbuilding, and engineering conglomerate company based in Gorinchem, South Holland, the Netherlands. At DEFEA, the company displays a model of Sigma 11515 frigate as part of the Greek procurement of four frigates.

A model of Sigma 11515 frigate (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

The Sigma class is a Dutch-built family of modular naval vessels, of either corvette or frigate size, designed by Damen Group.

At the heart of the Sigma-class design is a modular approach - the vessel can be built to suit the needs of a particular customer and the end-product can cover such types as fast-attack corvette, standard ocean-going corvette, off-shore patrol vessel, or basic frigate fighting forms. Inherent stealth features include an enclosed, low-profile smoke funnel, enclosed/integrated main mast, and slab-sided hull superstructure.

A turreted deck gun is set over the forecastle in the "A" position. Aft of this is a stepped hull superstructure which runs up to the integrated bridge section which hosts the integrated main mast mounting various communications and sensor fits. Beyond this is a collection of Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers and, aft of these installations, is the low-profile smoke funnel arrangement over midships. The aft section of the superstructure can accommodate a full-service helicopter hangar to go along with the stern-based helicopter pad (servicing a single navalized helicopter aircraft).

Structural dimensions of Sigma 10515 include a running length of 119 m, a breadth of 15,5 m and a draught of 4,5 m. Displacement reaches 4,400 tons depending on overall configuration. The ships can serve a crew of up to 80 personnel.

Sonar is mounted in the bow, giving the warship an advantage against enemy submarines. Other installed systems include the Thales NS110 AESA 4D surveillance radar, Thales SCOUT Mk3 LPI radar, and Thales STIR 1,2 EO Mk2 FCR. An ESM (Thales Altesse-H), ECM (Racal Scorpion 2L), and decoy (TERMA SKWS, DLT-12T) suite are all part of the ship's makeup.

Armament includes the 76/62 Super Rapid (SR) Gun Mount, Nexter NARWHAL 20mm RWS, 2 x Boeing Mk141 quad missile launchers, 2 x Lockheed Martin 8-cell Mk41 VLS for 64 ESSM 1/2 SAM and Triple Mk32 SVTT for Mk46 & Mk54 ASW LWT torpedoes.

Maximum speed in ideal conditions reaches 30 knots though cruising is generally at 18 knots. Range is out to 5,000 miles.