Mexican Navy launches Oaxaca-class patrol vessel ‘Hidalgo’

The Mexican Navy informed through social media that it has launched PO-166 Hidalgo, the seventh of eight Oaxaca-class offshore patrol vessels constructed by the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR).

The launching ceremony took place August 9 at the Astilleros de Marina No 20 (ASTIMAR 20) shipyard located at the Salina Cruz port in the Mexican state Oaxaca.

Laura Vargas Carrillo, head of the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF), served as the ship’s sponsor.

Measuring 86.00 meters in length, the 10.5-meter-wide vessels displace 1,680 tonnes and develop a speed of 20 knots. The vessels are crewed by 114 sailors and feature a helicopter and two 11 meter fast interceptor boats.

The vessels have a range of 8,500 nautical miles at cruising speed.