Equatoguinean frigate Wele Nzas

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History
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svgEquatorial Guinea
NameWele Nzas
Namesake Wele-Nzas Province
Builder
Laid down21 May 2012
Launched26 February 2013
Commissioned3 June 2014
Identification Pennant number: F073
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Type Multi-mission frigate
Displacement2,500 tonnes (2,500 long tons)
Length107 m (351 ft 1 in)
Beam14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Draft3.7 m (12 ft)
Propulsion
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi)
Sensors &
processing systems
  • Positiv-U air/surface search radar
  • Delta-M fire control radar w/ Cascade self-defense system
  • ESM antenna
  • SATCOM antenna
  • 2 × navigation radars
  • 2 opto-electronic FCS
Armament
  • 2 × 76.2 mm AK-176 guns
  • 2 × 30 mm AK-630M autocannons
  • 2 × 140 mm MS-227 22-barreled rocket launchers
Aircraft carried1 × helicopter
Aviation facilities Flight deck

Wele Nzas (F073) is a Ukrainian-designed, Bulgarian-built multi-mission frigate of the Navy of Equatorial Guinea. [1] The frigate serves as flagship of the navy and was commissioned in 2014.

Contents

Design and description

Wele Nzas has a length of 107 m (351 ft 1 in), a beam of 14 m (45 ft 11 in) and draft of 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in). [2] The frigate has estimated displacement of 2,500 tonnes (2,500 long tons ) and is powered by four Caterpillar C280 diesel engines connected to two screws. [3] She has a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) and range of 5,000  nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi). [2]

The ship is armed with two 76.2 mm AK-176 naval guns, each on fore and aft of the ship, two 30 mm AK-630M autocannons located in either side of the funnel, and two MS-227 140 mm 22-barreled rocket launchers in front of the bridge. [3] [4] In addition, the ship could be fitted with guided missiles on the midship. [4]

Her sensors and electronic systems consisted of Positiv-U air/surface search radar with radome, Delta-M fire control radar integrated with Cascade self-defense system, two navigation radars, two opto-electronic target designation and fire control systems, satellite communication antenna and ESM antenna. [3] [4]

Wele Nzas also has a raised helicopter flight deck amidships and carries some boats launched by davits. [2]

Construction and career

The ship was designed by Asaba Design Center in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. [4] Her keel was laid on 21 May 2012 at MTG Dolphin Shipyard in Varna, Bulgaria. [3] [4] The ship was launched on 26 February 2013 as the salvage and rescue vessel Savior (IMO: 9664500) under Project SV 02. She was procured from Bulgaria using proxy entities in Panama and the Comoros. [3] The ship was then fitted with weaponry in a 210 m (690 ft) navy-owned floating dock at Malabo harbor, Equatorial Guinea [3] by the Astilleros de Guinea Ecuatorial S.A. (ASABA GE) with the help of Ukrainian technicians. [4] Armament and combat systems used on the ship was probably sourced by Impulse 2, a Ukrainian company. [3]

Wele Nzas was commissioned on 3 June 2014 in a ceremony at Malabo harbor by the President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The president declared the frigate as the flagship of Equatorial Guinenan Navy. [2] The ship was named after the Province of Wele-Nzas. [3] She served as deterrent against threats of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Hyundai Offers Glimpse of Upcoming Philippine Navy Frigates". quwa.org. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Equatorial Guinea commissions new frigate". defenceweb.co.za. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Equatorial Guinea inducts new frigate". Janes.com. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Фрегат Wele Nzas". shipbuilding.mk.ua (in Ukrainian). 8 November 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Africa's Newest Navy". natoassociation.ca. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
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