Surface Forces: June 28, 2000

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Chile plans to buy a class of new frigates under the Tridente program (if it can find the money). They will license build German Meko-A-200 hulls and then hire a contractor (bidding is now under way) to integrate the systems. The ships will be excellent multi-mission platforms, with aegis radar, Standard and Sea Sparrow air defense missiles, Rolling Airframe defensive missiles, a Mark-41 vertical launch system, a 4.5" cannon, and other systems.--Stephen V Cole