Damen teams up with Portugal’s EID on Colombian PES frigate project

Dutch shipbuilding major Damen Naval has signed a contract with Portuguese defence technology company EID for the delivery of the integrated communications control system (ICCS) for the Colombian PES (Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie) frigate project.

This PES frigate project is a strategic collaboration between Damen Naval and Colombian shipbuilder COTECMAR. The program represents a major step forward in strengthening regional maritime defense capabilities and empowering Colombia’s local industry.

In line with this, EID will work closely with Colombian stakeholders to support knowledge transfer and long-term technical cooperation.

“Partnering with proven, innovative suppliers like EID supports our commitment to delivering cutting-edge capability,” said Jasper Oreel, Damen Naval Project Director.

“We are very proud at EID to have been chosen by Damen to supply for the Colombian PES Frigate programme our state-of-the-art OceaNEX C4I solution that unites into a single platform EID’s proven Integrated Communication System with our ship network technology,” said Martin Bennett, EID’s Chief Executive.

“This is particularly exciting, working with Damen on their Sigma Class Frigate and enabling new technology partnerships with our partners and stakeholders in Colombia.”

The PES design is based on the Damen Naval SIGMA 10514 series, previously built for Indonesia and Mexico. Specifically, Damen Naval will provide design, engineering, technical support, and materials to enable Colombia’s shipyard COTECMAR to construct a frigate locally.

The vessel will have a length of 107.5 meters and a beam of 14.02 meters. Swedish company Saab has been contracted to equip the frigate with its advanced 9LV combat management system and 9LV fire control system, alongside sensors and radar systems, including the Ceros 200 radar, EOS 500 electro-optical fire control director, Sea Giraffe 4A radars, among other systems.

Meanwhile, the UK’s BAE Systems will provide its Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system for anti-aircraft and anti-surface operations on the Colombian Navy’s PES frigate.

The PES frigate is scheduled for delivery to the Colombian Navy in 2030.

Earlier on, EID and Daman collaborated on the Portuguese Navy’s multi-purpose vessel (MPV), which forms part of Damen’s support ship range.