Chile reviews nine offers for frigate program

Sea Power, Oct 2003

On Aug. 29,2003, nine candidates submitted proposals to the Chilean Navy in response to the Feb. 17, 2003, request for proposals that was originally released to 11 companies. The nine competitors for the Proyecto Fragata, the Chilean frigate program with a budget of $960 million, are: Armaris; BAE Systems; Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering; German Frigate Consortium; IZAR Construcciones Navales; Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; Orizzonte Sistemi Navali; Rosoboronexport State Corporation; and Royal Scheide Group.

The Chilean Navy will evaluate the proposals and select three candidates by the end of November 2003. From December 2003 through late 2004, Chile will further evaluate and negotiate with the three finalists, culminating in a construction contract by 2005. Construction is expected to start by 2006. Either the first unit will be completed in a foreign yard and the two follow-on units at Chile's ASMAR, or all three may be built at ASMAR.