BAP Montero (FM-53)

BAP Montero in July 2004
History
Peru
Name:	Montero
Namesake:	Lizardo Montero Flores
Ordered:	1973
Builder:	SIMA Callao
Laid down:	16 June 1976
Launched:	8 October 1982
Commissioned:	29 July 1984
Homeport:	Callao
Identification:	FM-53
Fate:	Active in service
Notes:	ITU callsign: OBHF
General characteristics
Class and type:	Carvajal-class frigate
Displacement:	2,206 tonnes (2,525 tonnes full load)
Length:	113.2 m (371 ft) overall 106 m (348 ft) waterline
Beam:	11.3 m (37 ft)
Draught:	3.7 m (12 ft)
Propulsion:	2-shaft CODOG system 2 GE / Fiat LM2500 gas turbines 50,000 shp (37,000 kW) 2 GMT A230-20 diesel engines 7,800 shp (5,800 kW)
Range:	4,350 nautical miles (8,056 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h)
Complement:	199 (22 officers)
Sensors and processing systems:	Selenia IPN-10 action data automation (CMS) 1 RAN-10S early warning radar 1 RAN-11L/X surface search radar 2 RTN-10X fire control radar 2 RTN-20X fire control radar 1 Decca BridgeMaster II navigation radar EDO 610E(P) hull sonar
Armament:	8 Otomat Mk 2 SSMs 1 Albatros octuple launcher for Aspide SAM 2 ILAS-3 triple torpedo tubes 1 OTO Melara 127/54 mm gun 2 OTO Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO compact gun
Aircraft carried:	1 AB-212ASW helicopter or 1 ASH-3D Sea King (deck only)
Aviation facilities:	Fixed hangar for 1 medium helicopter

BAP Montero is the third out of four Carvajal-class frigates ordered by the Peruvian Navy in 1973. It was built by SIMA (Servicio Industrial de la Marina) at Callao under license from the Italian shipbuilder Cantieri Navali Riuniti. As such, it was the first modern warship built in Peru. In late 2007 her flight deck was extended to allow ASH-3D Sea King helicopters to land and refuel, even though they can not be housed in the ship's hangar.

Montero is named after Rear Admiral Lizardo Montero Flores (1832–1905) who fought in the War of the Pacific.

International exercises

• RIMPAC (Hawaii-USA) 2002.
• SIFOREX (Peru) 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007.
• UNITAS
  • Phase-0 (Puerto Rico) 1993, 1997.
  • Phase-4 (Peru) 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000.
  • Atlantic Phase 2003 (Argentina).
  • Pacific Phase 2004 (Peru), 2006 (Chile), 2007 (Peru).

Gallery

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  Unitas 45-04 Perú - BAP Montero (FM-53) in firing run

Sources

• Rodríguez, John, "Las fragatas Lupo: una breve mirada retrospectiva y perspectivas". Revista de Marina, Year 95, No. 3: 8-32 (July / December 2002)

External links

• Navy Newsstand RIMPAC - A direct hit by BAP Montero caused the final blow and eventually sank the "hostile" vessel (ex-USS Rathburne)