Durango-class patrol vessel

Durango class

The Durango class is an offshore patrol vessel class in service with the Mexican Navy. The Durango class, comprising four ships, was designed and constructed in Mexico in 1999–2000. The class entered service in 2000 and is used primarily for drug interdiction and patrol.

Description

The Durango-class design is based on the s but with a different superstructure.Template:Sfn They have a standard displacement of Template:Sfn and at full load.Template:Sfn The vessels measure long with a beam of and a draft of . The patrol vessels are propelled by two shafts powered by two Caterpillar 3616 V16 diesel engines rated at .Template:Sfn They have a maximum speed of .Template:SfnTemplate:Efn For electrical power, the Durango class are equipped with two 260 kilowatt generators and one 190 kW generator.Template:Sfn

The patrol vessels are armed with a single Bofors /70 caliber gun Mk 3 mounted forward capable of firing 220 rounds/minute to a range of . The ships mount an Alenia 2 combat data system and Saab EOS 450 optronic director for fire control. They are equipped with air and surface search radar.Template:Sfn The Durango class has a complement of 74 including 10 officers with the capability to transport 55 additional personnel.Template:Sfn Vessels of the class carry an interceptor craft capable of over . The vessels also mount a helicopter deck over the stern and a hangar and are capable of operating one medium helicopter.Template:Sfn

Ships

File:ARM Veracruz Progeso.jpg

Veracruz (fore) and Guanajuato (rear) at Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico

Durango classTemplate:Sfn
Hull no.	Ship name	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Status
PO-151		ASTIMAR 1, Tampico, Tamaulipas	18 December 1999	11 September 2000		Active
PO-152		ASTIMAR 20, Salina Cruz, Oaxaca	14 December 1999	4 September 2000		Active
PO-153		ASTIMAR 1, Tampico, Tamaulipas	2000	13 December 2001		Active
PO-154		ASTIMAR 20, Salina Cruz, Oaxaca	4 September 2000	13 December 2001	17 December 2003	Active

Construction and service

The four ships of the class were ordered as a follow on to the s on 1 June 1998. Their design was derived from the Holzinger class and are slightly larger than the Sierra class. Durango and Sonora were based at Guaymas in 2009 and Guanajuato and Veracruz at Coatzacoalcos.Template:Sfn The ships are primarily used for drug interdiction and patrol. In 2017 Durango took part in the multi-national naval exercise UNITAS 2017.