Almirante Padilla class light frigates of the Colombian Navy

Written by D-Mitch

  

Antioquia, third of the Almirante Padilla class light frigates
Photo: Armada Nacional de la República de Colombia

The main surface combatants of the Colombian Navy (Armada Nacional de la República de Colombia) are four (4) Almirante Padilla class light frigates/corvettes designed and built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) the period 1983-1984 in Kiel of Germany. The designation of the class is Type FS 1500, a similar design which was obtained by the Malaysian Navy, the Kasturi class frigates that have different electronic equipment and weapon systems. The frigates followed an extensive modernization program in Colombia at Cotecmar shipyard, a program that included the propulsion system, the electronic equipment and the weapon systems. The program finished in 2014 with the completion of sea acceptance tests of the ships. The contract with the Colombian authorities was signed early 2009, with DCNS acting as prime contractor and Thales as the lead systems integrator for the combat system and communications suite.

INFOGRAPHICS #4: United States Navy battleships, destroyers and submarines

The following images (updated) are created by Steve Freeman (sfreeman421 for deviantart) and depict all the classes of battleships, destroyers and submarines that were/are in service with the United States Navy. Enjoy this great artwork!

US Navy Battleships. In high resolution here

S148 class fast attack craft of the Hellenic Navy, Chilean Navy and Egyptian Navy

Written by D-Mitch

S148 class in service with Armada de Chile.
Photo: Armada de Chile

The S148 class is a type of Fast Attack Craft (FAC) built in 1972-1974 for the Bundesmarine (German Federal Navy) (later German Navy - Deutsche Marine) which serve today in the navies of Greece (Hellenic Navy), Chile (Armada de Chile) and Egypt (Egyptian Navy). The class is a design of Lürssen in Germany but some of them were built in France by Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie in Cherbourg (CMN) due to political reasons of that time as the initial plan was some of them to be purchased by Israeli Navy. In total 20 crafts were built and served with German Federal Navy of which six (6) were transferred to Greece the period 1994-1995 and 2000, six (6) to Chile the period 1997-1998 and five (5) to Egypt in 2002 while the remaining three (3) were scrapped. The class is the older class of FACs in service with the three navies and it is about to be decommissioned and to be replaced by modern vessels; currently in Hellenic Navy they serve three (3) boats which will be replaced after the commissioning of more of Roussen class FACs and in Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) they serve two (2). It is not known the number of craft that serve with the Egyptian Navy but it is believed that serve around three (3) with plans the vessels to be replaced in the near future as well.

INFOGRAPHICS #3: Ranks and insignia of NATO Navies

An image that depicts all the ranks and insignia used by the navy personnel, enlisted and officers, of the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Click to enlarge and save the image to view the details: naval ranks and insignia of NATO. For high resolution click here.

FLEETS #4: Italian Navy, German Navy, Russian Navy and Japanese Navy in WWII

The following images illustrate the most important classes of warships which were in service with the navies of Italy, Germany, Russia and Japan during the World War II. More posts will follow for your collection of current naval fleets but also of fleets from the past.

Italian Navy (Regia Marina) in  WWII

Click to enlarge and save the image to view the details - Italian Navy in WWII

Formidable class frigates of the Republic of Singapore Navy

Written by D-Mitch

RSS Formidable leading vessel of the Formidable class frigates
Photo: Republic of Singapore Navy

The Formidable class frigates are multi-mission stealth frigates of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) or else Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura, which are quipped with state of the art weapons and electronics. DCNS was awarded in 2000 by the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to design and to build six frigates of the project Delta, a smaller derivative of La Fayette class of French Navy, but with much more advanced characteristics such as low radar cross-section, acoustic, infrared and electromagnetic signatures, better sea keeping qualities and increased endurance but also equipment and weapons. The agreement included a technology transfer after the construction of the first frigate at DCNS' Lorient yard in France while five more were built in Singapore by the Singapore Technology Marine (STM) at the Benoi shipyard. The first of the class, RSS Formidable was launched in 2004 and she was commissioned in 2007. All the ships were commissioned the period 2007-2009, they are the only frigates serving in RSS and they form the 185 Squadron. The frigates of the class, due to their advanced armament and electronics, are considered among the most advanced surface combatants in Southeast Asia!

FLEETS #3: Royal Australian Navy, US Navy, Royal Navy and French Navy in WWII

The following images illustrate the most important classes of warships which were in service with the navies of Australia, United Kingdom, United States and France during the World War II. More posts will follow for your collection of current naval fleets but also of fleets from the past.

Royal Australian Navy in WWII

Click to enlarge and save the image to view the details - Australian Navy in WWII