Turkish shipbuilder STM said it has offered its solutions for the Colombian Navy’s Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES) frigate acquisition program at the Colombiamar 2017 trade fair and congress.
Colombia plans to acquire four frigates under the PES program to replace the existing Almirante Padilla-class vessels, which are expected to be decommissioned in 2024.
While STM did not provide details on the design for the program, the company will likely adapt the Turkish Navy’s Milgem platform to Colombian Navy requirements. Milgem (translates to national ship) covers the construction of four Ada-class corvettes, four TF-100-class and four TF-2000-class frigates for the Turkish Navy. STM is authorized to offer export versions of the designs to international customers.
Other known international competitors in the bid include French shipbuilder DCNS with its 4,000t Belh@rra frigate and British BMT Defence Services who joined forces with Saab to offer the Venator-110 frigate design.