Condell (modified Leander) class frigates

A pair of modified Leander class frigates were built in the UK for Chile, while a second pair was transferred to Chile from the Royal Navy. The first three units were modernized between 1989 and 1997, while a fourth unit (General Baquedano) was decommissioned. The HMS "Achilles" was a General Purpose frigate Leander class frigate, built for the Royal Navy between 1968 and 1970 in Yarrow Shipyard Co. Ltd., Scotland, being incorporated into the British Fleet. The ship belonged to the clase "Broad Beam Leander", and had not been modernized or modified while in service with the Royal Navy.

In 1990, the frigate was acquired by the Government of Chile under the name PF "MINISTER ZENTENO" and was brought to Chile in a floating dock. The ship arrived at the dock of the plant repairs ASMAR (T.), a nearly empty hull without its antennas, communications or radar. The hallways were without their coatings, such as bulkheads in the covers. There were countless compartments virtually empty, with no clue that might indicate what their purpose was. Everywhere could be seen oxyacetylene equipment hoses and electrical cables, welding machines, there was very little lighting and, worse, was the "sleeves" of plastic used to introduce fresh air or to smoke and toxic gases extract welding paintings and who knows what else. Since joining the Chilean Navy on January 8, 1991, the frigate "Ministro Zenteno" had undergone a series of upgrades to its weapons systems, command and control, with great participation of National Industry. The identification of the ASMAR personnel with the ship, produced by a good deal of integration and camaraderie.

The Leander-class have been replaced by the Type 23 frigates. The Leanders served the Chilean squadron for three decades and underwent various processes of modernisation during their lives. Those tasks were completed in Chile's ASMAR Shipyards to improve command and control, electronic warfare and [platform systems] - electricity and propulsion - and modernisation to ensure safe operation with the Cougar helicopters. However, based on the recent modernisation of Chile's surface fleet, the Navy decided to decommission the Leander-class – two of the frigates CONDELL and LYNCH were acquired by the Ecuadorian Navy. At the end of 34 years these ships were still in good condition. In April 2008 was held the handover ceremony for the first frigate, to be followed by the second after crew training in Chile.

The frigates "Lynch" and "Condell", were sold to the Ecuadorian Navy, according to a statement made by President Rafael Correa. This purchase by the Ecuadorian Navy became a reality on 07 March 2008, in a ceremony aboard the frigate "Condell" and was attended by the Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Staff of the Armed both countries. The PFG "Condell" was delivered in March 2008 under the name of BAE "President Alfaro", and PFG "Lynch" in May of that year under the name of BAE "Moran Valverde". The PFG "Zenteno", which had been decommissioned in 2006, suffered severe damage to its hull by the tsunami that hit the area on 27 February 2010.