Defense Web
The Royal Moroccan Navy has officially commissioned its first SIGMA frigate during a ceremony led by King Mohammed VI. The vessel was transferred to the Royal Moroccan Navy in September last year.
King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, officially commissioned the 105 meter long Tarik Ben Ziyad on December 23 in Casablanca. He was accompanied by several military and civilian dignitaries, including the CEO of Damen Shipyards Group, René Berkvens, Commander Royal Netherlands Navy, Vice Admiral Matthieu Borsboom and Ambassador Jos van Aggelen.
After 21 welcoming salutes from a Moroccan patrol ship, King Mohammed VI visited the various facilities on board of the SIGMA multi-mission frigate. After his visit, the King traditionally signed the guestbook on board.
The SIGMA (Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach) frigate is one of three built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, for Morocco. They were ordered in April 2008 under a contract that includes one SIGMA 10513 ship 105 metres long (pennant number 613) and two SIGMA 9813 ships 98 metres long (pennant numbers 614, 615), all with commonality in the systematic arrangement including a Tacticos combat management system with antisubmarine, surface warfare, air defence and electronic warfare capabilities.
Electronic systems include a Smart-S Mk2 surveillance radar, a LIROD Mk 2 tracking radar, a Thales Kingklip sonar system, an IFF system, an integrated communication system comprising external communication system and FOCON internal communication subsystem, two target designation sights, a VIGILE ESM system, a SCORPION ECM system and an integrated navigation system.
The shipyard notes the vessels are being fitted with a 76 mm Oto Melara main gun, as well as MBDA Exocet surface-to-surface and MICA surface-to-air missile system, the latter using vertical launch.
The frigates have flight decks and hangar accommodation for a medium-sized helicopter and are fitted with Eurotorp torpedo launchers.
Morocco’s second SIGMA frigate begun sea acceptance trials in the North Sea on November 18 last year. Trials concluded a month later and the vessel will be delivered in February. The third frigate is scheduled for Sea Acceptance Trials in May 2012.
Morocco also has on order a French “FREMM” multipurpose frigate, scheduled for delivery next year. It was launched in September last year. The current fleet includes two Floréal-class frigates and a Descubierta-class corvette in addition to some 21 patrol craft and a number of other ships and vessels. Four more patrol craft are also on order.
Morocco is in the process of upgrading its armed forces and is buying large amounts of military equipment, including 24 Hawker Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop trainers to replace its Beechcraft T-34 Mentor and Cessna T-37 Tweets.
Last year the Royal Moroccan Air Force took delivery of the first of 24 Block 52 F-16 Fighting Falcons from Lockheed Martin, fitted with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 Enhanced Engine Package engines and Raytheon ACES electronic warfare suites.
