COTECMAR and Damen sign historic contract to build Colombia's first locally constructed frigate.

According to a PR published by Damen on August 12, 2024, the Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Naval, Marítima y Fluvial (COTECMAR) has officially signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for the construction of the Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES). The agreement involves Damen providing technical support and key components based on their SIGMA 10514 model.
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Artist rendering of the SIGMA 10514. (Picture source: Damen)

The PES frigate will measure 107.5 meters in length with a beam of 14.02 meters, making it a formidable addition to the Colombian Navy. With this project, Colombia joins Mexico and Brazil as the only Latin American countries capable of constructing such sophisticated naval vessels domestically.

About the ship

The design incorporates the Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach (SIGMA), allowing for scalable construction and customization according to the specific needs of a navy. This flexibility has led to the model being adopted by several countries, including Indonesia and Mexico.

It is equipped for a variety of missions, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, as well as maritime security and humanitarian support.

In terms of armament, the ship can be fitted with various systems such as a 76mm medium-caliber gun, surface-to-air and anti-ship missile launchers, and torpedo systems for anti-submarine warfare. It also features a hangar and deck for a medium-sized helicopter, enhancing its operational flexibility.

Countries like Indonesia have integrated the SIGMA 10514 into their fleets as the Martadinata-class frigates, which serve as key assets for patrolling their extensive maritime boundaries.