Damen, Heinen & Hopman team up to work on Colombian Navy’s PES frigate

March 11, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Dutch shipbuilding major Damen Naval has signed a purchasing agreement with compatriot Heinen & Hopman for the PES (Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie) frigate to be built for the Colombian Navy.

As informed, the contract covers delivery of the overall HVAC-R system (heating, ventilation, airconditioning, refrigeration) including design, engineering, materials, installation supervision, and testing.

A specific aspect of this contract for PES focuses on local content objectives. To support these goals, Heinen & Hopman will engage Colombian HVAC-R suppliers for both hardware and service packages.

“We are very pleased to get support from Heinen & Hopman for this great project in which both our companies aim to involve the Colombian market,” said Damen Naval Project Director Jasper Oreel.

“I am looking forward to our collaboration with Damen Naval and to deliver world-class products and services,” added Joep Hopman, CEO of Heinen & Hopman.

The PES frigate is based on Damen Naval’s SIGMA 10514 series. The vessel will have a length of 107.5 meters and a beam of 14.02 meters.

Specifically, Damen Naval will provide design, engineering, technical support, and materials to enable Colombia’s shipyard COTECMAR to construct a frigate locally.

Earlier on, the Dutch shipbuilder joined forces with Swedish Saab, which will equip the frigate with its advanced 9LV combat management system and 9LV fire control system, alongside sensors and radar systems, including the Ceros 200 radar, EOS 500 electro-optical fire control director, Sea Giraffe 4A radars, among other systems.