Port of Valparaiso, Chile.
ARMADA DE CHILE / CHILEAN NAVY
FF – 15 Almirante Blanco Encalada Frigate Chilean Navy
Ex: HNLMS Abraham van der Hulst
Build: 1993 Maximun Displacement: 3.320 Tons Engine: CODOG Maximun speed: 30 Knots
LOA:123,00 Mts. B:14,60 Mts. Draught: 4,30 Mts.
Armament:
1 Cannon OTO MELARA 76 mm.
08 antisurface missiles HARPOON
16 missiles NATO SEASPARROW
2 assemblies of Torpedo launchers MK - 46
Embarked helicopter Cougar SH-32, antisom and antisurface
The multipurpose frigate "Almirante Blanco Encalada" was built in the Royal Schelde shipyard, Vlissingen, Holland, and commissioned on December 15, 1993.
On December 16, 2005, as part of the Puente II project, the unit was incorporated into the Chilean Navy and on February 8, 2006 it sailed from the Naval Base of Den Helder, in Holland, towards its base port in Valparaíso, He joined the National Squadron on March 6, 2006. His first Commander was the Commander of the frigate Fernando Contreras Acuña.
Since joining the Institution, the frigate has operated throughout the country and participated in multiple multinational exercises, highlighting RIMPAC (Hawaii - USA - 2006, 2007 and 2014), PANAMAX (Panama - 2006), Team Work South ( Chile - 2007), UNITAS (Peru - 2008) and UNITAS GOLD (Mayport, Florida - USA - 2009).
The roles of this unit are surface combat with trans-horizon missiles, ship boarding and registration and support for natural catastrophes.
This vessel is the fifth to bear the name of the first President of the Republic, Vicelmirante Manuel Blanco Encalada, who was also a distinguished sailor, military, diplomat and Chief of the First National Fleet.
