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Long Range Ocean Patrol (POLA) Reformador

Dutch shipbuilder Damen delivered the new Long Range Ocean Patrol (POLA) vessel ARM Reformer, to the Mexican Navy. The ship, 107 meters long, is based on the Damen model SIGMA 10514. The Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico (SEMAR) organized a ceremony in order to celebrate acceptance for service and final delivery of the new ocean patrol boat, the first of a class to replace older ships, such as those of the classes Auk and Uribe, the latter designed by Navantia in Spain. The Reformador is the first of an order of eight POLAs, according to the ASTIMAR-Damen contract, but the future of the program would ultimately be decided by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who recently came to power.

The 107-metre long POLA-class ARM Reformador is the Mexican equivalent of Damen’s SIGMA Frigate 10514. A key point here is that the ARM Reformador represents Damen’s tenth time building a SIGMA Frigate. The implications of this are clear: the vessel that has been built for the Mexican Navy is a proven design that benefits from the wealth of knowledge possessed by the Dutch naval shipbuilding industry. This comprises world-renowned research institutes and a dedicated naval cluster of international specialist suppliers such as Thales.

According to the Mexican Navy, the Reformer will have a displacement of 2,570 tons, develop a cruising speed of up to 27 knots (approximately 50 kilometers per hour). The weapon system is already defined, and is integrated by a main cannon, a Swedish 57 mm Bofors., The other weapons systems are North American, composed of a Mk 38 cannon mod 2 25mm, 8 RGM-84 Harpoon Block II missiles , RAM 2 missile launchers and Mk 54 Mod 0. light torpedoes. Most of the other systems are Thales and Indra, it is important to know that the weapon system was defined based on the missions already described and designed for the platform and based on That defined the functions and capabilities of each system.

This vessel has the capacity to accommodate 120 officers, classes and sailors; of which 90 are crew, 30 transport and, in addition, a cabin for pilot and admiral of the fleet. The crew members will sail the seas in a ship with the best auxiliary propulsion systems, sensors, highly maneuverable defense systems and excellent marine behavior, which will guarantee its success in its different missions.

The Reformer is the most advanced and equipped ship of the Navy of Mexico and the most modern among Latin American military fleets and will become the flagship of the Mexican Navy. Through Secretarial Agreement Number 462 of October 25, 2018, the creation of the Long Range Ocean Patrol Receiving Commission (CR POLA) is ordered. The ARM Reformer 101's mission is to develop naval operations and participate in exercises, both jointly or in combination, to contribute to the safeguarding of national sovereignty and security.

Working in close cooperation, Damen Shipyards Group, the Mexican Navy, subcontractors and suppliers completed successful sea trials of the Mexican Navy’s POLA-class ARM Reformador in December 2019. Working in close cooperation, Damen Shipyards Group, the Mexican Navy, subcontractors and suppliers have completed successful sea trials of the Mexican Navy’s POLA-class ARM Reformador. The program of sea trials was comprehensive, including testing of platform and combat systems in addition to training of Mexican Navy crews. The completion of these sea trials indicate how the project as a whole is progressing: on budget and actually a few weeks ahead of the contracted schedule.

The ARM Reformador is the latest example of how Damen forms partnerships with navies around the world to build naval vessels in local yards. In this way, the Dutch shipbuilding company is using its considerable amount of experience and expertise to build technologically sophisticated naval vessels in Damen customers yards or in third party yards. Damen has built up a strong relationship with the Mexican Navy over the last decade. This has resulted in the construction and delivery of more than ten naval vessels of various designs. Damen has also worked closely with yards like the ASTIMAR 20 naval shipyard in Salina Cruz, Mexico, where the ARM Reformador has been built.

These collaborative efforts are ensuring a significant transfer of technology and knowledge into the Mexican shipbuilding industry. For example, in order to maximise the local impact of this current project, Damen has placed contracts at local companies for supplies and assistance during the construction of the ARM Reformador. “This project is having a very positive impact on the local economy. More than 70% of the labour is being realised in Mexico – creating jobs and enabling local companies to develop their skills,” notes Horacio Delgado, Damen’s commercial manager for Mexico. “Thanks to our excellent cooperation with the Mexican Navy, we are ensuring that this vessel is being built in Mexico, by Mexicans, and for Mexicans.”

At the delivery ceremony, Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, of the Mexican Navy High Command, said that: «Today, the Mexican Navy Secretariat (SEMAR) has the great honor of seeing the culmination of one of the most important naval projects in its modern history. This long-range ocean patrol vessel has completed its commissioning and testing phase to begin a life at sea at the service of Mexicans ... » Horacio Delgado, President of Damen Shipyards Mexico said: «This is a ship built in Mexico, for Mexicans and for Mexicans. We are proud that this vessel has been finished with a significant footprint in the southeastern region of Mexico and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec ».

POLA 101 was described by Mexican media as the most technologically advanced ship in Latin America. It will allow the Mexican Navy to carry out missions such as the safeguarding of Mexican sovereignty, international security cooperation, law enforcement, long-range search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid. The new POLA will allow Mexico to increase surveillance coverage and the protection of its maritime interests beyond the 5 million square kilometers of Mexican jurisdictional waters.

For its construction two of the six modules were built in the Damen Schelde (DSNS) shipbuilding in the Netherlands, while the remaining four were carried out in Mexico. In fact, a Mexican team has been for the duration of construction in the Netherlands to oversee this process and receive an intense transfer of knowledge. The four "Mexican" modules were built in ASTIMAR 20 in Salina Cruz by the Mexican production team, employing numerous subcontractors and local suppliers. Once completed, the six modules went to final assembly, integration, commissioning and testing with the assistance of Damen, a company that has also taken over the training program.

According to the program once the vessel is finished, it will be sent to the United States so that the Fleet Forces Command grants the ship's certification, to know if it is qualified or not to act in joint operations with other nations. The Mexican Navy plans that in the months of March or April 2020, the new ship will go to the United States to perform the certification of the crew and the vessel, to later interact in joint peace operations and exercises such as UNITAS or any another mission.

The Mexican Navy wants to show Mexican society all the potential in the sea, everything that at some point developed countries have seen. You have to have a presence to take care of Mexican resources at sea. Another important mission of this first POLA will be the training, since it is intended to be used as a training school for future officers and captains for the following POLAS, having trained personnel and independently of the rotation, gather personnel with experience in the teams. The idea is also to use the ship as a specific training platform for current weapons systems.