Successful Start of Sea Acceptance Trials of the First Multi Mission Frigate for the Royal Moroccan Navy

May 12, 2011 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding; issued May 11, 2011)

The first of three Sigma-class frigates being built by the Dutch Damen Schelde yards for Morocco is seen here sailing into the North Sea on its sea trials. (DSNS photo)

The 105 meter-long SIGMA class frigate, built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding for the Royal Moroccan Navy, left Vlissingen on the 6th of May for her sea acceptance trials in the North Sea, right on schedule as agreed in the contract.

During the SAT, an extensive program will be carried out in which the platform as well as the sensor weapons and communications suite will be tested.

The second frigate of 98 meters is scheduled for sea trials at the end of 2011 as the third frigate, also 98 meters long, is still under construction at the Damen yard in Vlissingen, to be launched in September this year.

The three SIGMA-class frigates for the Royal Moroccan Navy have been designed according to Schelde Naval Shipbuilding's revolutionary SIGMA approach and are a further development of the SIGMA-corvettes for the Indonesian Navy. The SIGMA approach applies modularity in many areas.

The Moroccan SIGMA Class frigates equipped to conduct the traditional naval tasks as well as maritime security operations. The vessels are also suited to support humanitarian aid operations.

The Damen Shipyards Group offers a complete range of naval and patrol vessels ranging from 7 to over 200 meters. Part of this portfolio are the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) naval combatants and auxiliaries, embodied by the SIGMA and ENFORCER series.

DSNS’s recent export successes are orders for four SIGMA corvettes delivered to the Indonesian Navy and three SIGMA frigates for the Royal Moroccan Navy which are under construction. At present DSNS has under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy: four Patrol Ships and a Joint Logistic Support Ship (JSS), the largest military vessel built by DSNS so far.