The Portuguese Navy demands NATO’s NSPA to extend the service life of its multi-purpose frigates of the Vasco da Gama (MEKO 200PN) class through tenders.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) in order to carry out the mid-life upgrade (MLU) on behalf of Portuguese Navy. The navy’s MEKO 200PN class frigates NRP Álvares Cabral (F 331) and NRP Corte-Real (F 332) will benefit from the programme.
According to NSPA’s RFP, the first modification will be carried out at the Portuguese state-owned shipyard Arsenal do Alfeite.
This is the Portuguese Navy’s second attempt to modernise vessels in their midlife. The first programme’s budget was up to EUR120 million (USD136 million) to overhaul ships and modernise their systems.
Currently, the MLU’s plans include increasing ASW capacity, replacing a series of sensors and communication systems, and refurbishing other legacy equipment.
The tender on NSPA was published on April 18, 2024, and ended on June 30, 2024. Five bids were received: Rafael, Elbit Systems, Thales Edisoft Portugal, Lockheed Martin Canada CDL, and Turkish STM.
In Turkiye, the partnership formed by ASELSAN and HAVELSAN also applied half-life modernisation to the Meko-200 class TCG Oruçreis ship. ASELSAN most recently applied to modernise the Argentine Navy’s Meko-340 class ships.
Author Özgür Ekşi
