FRIGATES AND DESTROYERS

VASCO DA GAMA CLASS

 

The Portugese Vasco De Gama Class Frigate NRP Alvares Cabral (F 331)

The Vasco da Gama class is a class of frigates, of the MEKO 200 PN German concept, and are the major surface ships of the Portuguese Navy. Portugal operates three ships of this class, which were built in Kiel by Blohm + Voss and later by HDW, using modular construction techniques.

The project for the construction of three frigates of this class was authorised by the Portuguese Government in 1985, five years after the request of the Portuguese Navy for the acquisition of new surface ships.
 

VASCO DE GAMA CLASS Specifications
Country of Manufacture Germany
Number in Service Portugal 3
Crew 19 officers and 161 other rates
Armament 1 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 8 x RGM-84 Harpoon SSM, 8 x Sea Sparrow SAM, 2 x Lynx Mk95 helicopters
Length 115.9m
Beam 14.8m
Draught 6.2m
Displacement 3,200 tonnes
Powerplant 2 x MTU 20V 956 TB92 diesels and 2 x General Electric LM2500 gas turbines
Performance Max speed 32 knots – range 7,000kms at 18 knots
First of Class 1989