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Almirante Padilla class (FS 1500 type) light frigates

The Almirante Padilla-class frigate is a group of frigates operated by the Colombian Navy. The designation of this class is Type FS 1500 and there are 4 ships in service. The ships were built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) at Kiel, Germany. Two similar ships operates as the Kasturi-class corvettes in the Malaysian Navy.

The Almirante Padilla class is powered by a CODAD propulsion system, provided by four MTU diesels driving two shafts and developing 23,400 horsepower (17,400 kW) driving two Controllable Pitch propellers. This gives a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph), and a range of 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph). The Almirante Padilla class does not have a hangar facility, and does not have an embarked helicopter. The aft landing platform is suitable for a Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm MBB Bo 105 CBS-5 or the Eurocopter AS-555-SN Fennec for over-the-horizon targeting.

The Orion Program Upgrade was a mid-life refit performed by the Thales Group. Thales and DCNS announced Mar 27, 2014 that the comprehensive modernisation program of the Colombian Navy’s four Almirante Padilla class frigates had been concluded with a successful Sea Acceptance Test of the class’s fourth ship. The contract with the Colombian authorities was signed early 2009, with DCNS acting as prime contractor and Thales as the lead systems integrator for the combat system and communications suite.

In the scope of this modernisation program, Thales and local shipyard, Cotecmar, installed and integrated the SMART-S Mk2 surveillance radar, STING EO Mk2 electro-optic weapon control system, MIRADOR optronic weapon control system, VIGILE 200S electronic support measures (ESM) system, communications systems and Terma’s SKWS decoys launching system, on the four Padilla class ships. Thales has also modernised the vessels’ Altesse communications intelligence (COMINT) systems.

“This programme demonstrates that Thales is perfectly capable of realising a large modernisation programme within an agreed timeframe and according to the customer’s requirements. It also proves that modernising existing platforms is a good way to considerably extend the ships’ life cycles, and significantly enhance their capabilities” said Aniss Aqallal, Thales Colombia Country Director. “Our success in the Padilla programme highlights our strong commitment to Colombia’s defence strategy, as was underlined by the Minister of Defence, Juan Carlos Pinzón, during his speech at the final site acceptance test ceremony.”

Pierre Legros, DCNS Surface Naval Systems Senior Vice President, said: “The successful modernisation of Colombia’s Almirante Padilla frigate demonstrates DCNS’s ability to lead the overall project management of such a modernisation programme to the complete satisfaction of the client. DCNS draws on both the expertise of Cotecmar shipyard, which was selected by the Colombian Navy, and those of its partners, first and foremost Thales, while respecting the Government-to-Government agreement signed between France and Colombia.”

After four years of work, the Navy completed the process of repotencialización, modernization and maintenance of its larger units, through which the development, expansion and strengthening of the Colombian Naval Industry was encouraged. After the end of the 2011 sea trials of the frigates ARC Antioquia and ARC Caldas were successfully met, and later the shift was for the ARC Independence and ARC Almirante Padilla, which after being subjected to works of renovation, modernization and maintenance, completed sea trials in September 2012. For close to three months, the proper functioning of the new generation systems, propulsion, auxiliary machinery, housing, weapons systems and sensors were verified.

In this modernization process involved a team of engineers, using the latest technology in Colombia, by the Corporation of Science and Technology for Development of Shipbuilding Industry (Cotecmar), with participation of members of the Department of Arms and Electronics Naval Base ARC Bolivar (Daret) and the crew of ships.

Significant savings for the country, in each of these units were invested 120 million dollars, accounting for 15% less than the cost of a new vessel with similar characteristics and ensures its use for an extended period of life; recovering and expanding the initial capacity of the units. The project included a disarmament platforms in most of its compartments, change and renewal of equipment that are part of the main propulsion systems, power generation, auxiliary systems, control system, sensors, radars, upgrading of skills weapons and communications systems, among others.

Fragata ARC "Almirante Padilla", a helicopter type BO 105 and a detachment of Special Forces Marines, represented Colombia in the 2014 RIMPAC naval exercises along with 22 other nations. More than 110 crew members of the Navy who successfully participated in the naval operation RIMPAC 2014, which was held in Hawaii in two months. In total there were 22 nations, more than 25,000 military personnel , 42 warships, six submarines and 250 aircraft that participated in the 24th version of the most important naval operation multinational world, called RIMPAC 2014 and whose motto is "Capable, Adaptable and Allies".

This was the first time that Colombia was involved with a unit in this world of naval exercises. Previously, the Navy Officers had attended as observers or members of the largest states formed to control operations. Since the early 50s, when Colombia actively participated in the Korean War, no warship of the Navy had sailed so far in the Pacific in order to be part of a multinational naval force as experienced in the operation RIMPAC 2014.

In Hawaii, Colombia was part of exercises humanitarian disaster relief, maritime control operations and complex naval operations in the areas of anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, anti-air warfare and amphibious operations. Likewise, in exercises to combat transnational crimes such as piracy, human trafficking, drug trafficking and search and rescue operations. Naval units from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the People's Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines , Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States, took part in RIMPAC 2014.

Sailors aboard the Colombian Navy frigate ARC Almirante Padilla (FM 51), conducted a ship tour for service members, families and friends. Almirante Padilla is in Hawaii to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971.