S.Atlantic : £135 Million for Former Guard Ships
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 09.09.2005 (Article Archived on 23.09.2005)

News on the MoD website confirms that three 23 type frigates, HMS Marlborough, HMS Norfolk and HMS Grafton have been sold to the Chilean Navy.

£135 MILLION FORMER GUARD SHIPS

By J. Brock (FINN)

News on the MoD website confirms that three 23 type frigates, HMS Marlborough, HMS Norfolk and HMS Grafton have been sold to the Chilean Navy.  The papers were signed in Santiago on Wednesday.  The agreement, signed by Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement and Chilean Minister of Defence Ravinet, follows the sale of HMS Sheffield, now the FMG Almirante WILLIAMS, in 2003. It paves the way for delivery of the three ships to the Chilean Navy around the end of 2008. Lord Drayson said:

"These three Type 23 frigates have become available as a consequence of the restructuring of our Armed Forces to better meet the challenges of the 21st century.  The Royal Navy will continue to operate the Type 23.   I am delighted that these excellent ships will now also see service in the Chilean Navy. 

"This sale will continue the long tradition of naval links with Chile, who are an increasingly important partner for the UK in international peacekeeping and security operations.  This agreement will appreciably enhance Chile's ability to contribute in that field."

Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, in July 2004 announced a reduction in Royal Navy Destroyer and Frigate numbers from 31 to 25.  This was achieved, in part, by the withdrawal from service of three Type 23 frigates, HM Ships Norfolk, Marlborough and Grafton.

Chilean Officials signed a Letter of Intent in December 2004, modified by an Addendum in June 2005, to purchase all three ships.  Following a period of contract negotiations with Chile and the UK industrial prime contractor, BAE Systems, all parties signed a Sales Agreement for the transfer of the ships to Chile.  The value of the sale to Chile which includes the ships, pre-sale sanitisation and maintenance, and training, is £135m.