SIMA Callao shipyard completes hull and maintenance work on Peruvian Navy frigate FM-55 BAP Aguirre.

According to information published by the InfoDefensa website on August 22, 2021, the SIMA Callao shipyard from Peru has successfully completed the hull and maintenance work on the guided missile frigate FM-55 BAP Aguirre of the Peruvian Navy, formerly Orsa F-567 of the Italian Navy.
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FM-55 BAP Aguirre guided missile frigate of the Peruvian Navy. (Picture source Wikimedia)

The Orsa (F 567) is the fourth ship of the Lupo-class frigate of the Italian Navy. She was sold to Peruvian Navy in the 2000s and commissioned in November 2004. The frigate was built by Cantieri Navali Riuniti (CNR) for the Italian Navy. The Italian Navy commissioned four Lupo-class frigates between 1977 and 1980. These ships were deployed to the Persian Gulf first as escorts for tankers during the last stages of the Iran–Iraq War (1987–1988) and then as part of the Coalition forces during the 1990–1991 Gulf War.

In November 2004 two of the former Italian Lupo-class Frigates were incorporated into the Peruvian Navy: BAP Aguirre (FM-55) ex Orsa and BAP Palacios (FM-56) ex Lupo. Finally, in August 2006 the last two Italian Lupo’s arrived in Callao: BAP Quiñones (FM-58) ex Sagittario and BAP Bolognesi (FM-57) ex Perseo.

The Lupo-class is armed with eight Otomat Mk 2 anti-ship missiles, one Mk.29 octuple launcher for Sea Sparrow/Aspide SAM Surface-to-Air missiles, two Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes, one OTO Melara 127/54 mm gun and two OTO Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO compact gun.

In August 2011, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces external Peru’s formal request to buy 4 NATO Sea Sparrow “MK57 MOD 10” systems. They will replace the existing MOD 2 systems mounted above the helicopter hangar on the 4 ex-Italian ships (FM 55-58: BAP Aguirre, BAP Palacios, BAP Bolognesi, and BAP Quinones).

Along with the launch systems, which are being provided without RIM-7 missiles, Peru is requesting MK57 Installation and Check Out (INCO) Kits, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training, and other U.S. Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $50 million.