The João Belo class, also known as Comandante João Belo class, is a class of four frigates of French design, based on the Commandant Rivière class but fitted for tropical service. Ordered by the Portuguese Navy in 1964, the four ships of this class were constructed at the shipyard in Nantes, France between 1965 and 1967. The first ship entered Portuguese service in 1967. The frigates were used for ocean patrol of Portuguese colonies and later, joined NATO's STANAVFORLANT unit. The first unit was discarded in 2003, followed by a second in 2004. The final two ships were taken out of service in 2008 sold to the Uruguayan Navy. The third ship was discarded in 2021, with one ship remaining in service.
After World War II, Portugal retained much of its colonial empire. However, beginning in 1961, the Portuguese colonial empire saw unrest and invasion. This led Portugal to increase the number of ships capable of operating in colonial waters.[1] In the 1960s the Portuguese Navy was interested in the acquisition of British frigates of the Leander class, but because of British political opposition against Portugal this acquisition was impossible. Portugal was then forced to buy frigates of an already existing project due to the urgency in the acquisition of naval ships for the defense of African, Macanese and Timorese waters.[citation needed]
Description and design
Based on the French Commandant Rivière class, the João Belo class was designed for coastal patrol and convoy escort duty.[2] However, due to their planned use in Portuguese colonies in the Pacific and African regions, they had additional equipment installed for tropical service.[3] The vessels as built measured 102.7 metres (336 ft 11 in) long overall with a beam of 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in) and a draught of 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in). The vessels had a standard displacement of 1,780 t (1,750 long tons) and 2,290 t (2,250 long tons) at full load. The frigates were propelled by two shafts powered by four SEMT Pielstick V12 PC diesel engines creating 16,000 bhp (12,000 kW). This gave the ships a maximum speed of 26.6 knots (49.3 km/h; 30.6 mph) and a range of 2,300 nautical miles (4,300 km; 2,600 mi) at 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) or 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ships had a crew of 214.[4][5][a]
The ships initially mounted three Creusot Loire 100-millimetre (3.9 in)/55 calibre Mod 1953 naval guns in single mounts placed on the centreline in positions "A", "X", and "Y". The frigates also sported two Bofors 40 mm (1.6 in)/60 guns in a twin turret situated in the "B" position on the centreline. The 100 mm guns could fire a 13 kilograms (29 lb) shell 9 nmi (17 km; 10 mi) at 80° elevation. The 40 mm guns could fire a 0.89 kg (2.0 lb) shell 6.6 nmi (12.2 km; 7.6 mi) at 90° elevation. For anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the João Belo class were equipped with a single Mortier four-barrelled 305 mm (12.0 in) anti-submarine mortar with a range of 2,700 m (8,900 ft) firing a 227 kg (500 lb) projectile and two triple-mounted 550 mm (22 in) ASW torpedo tubes for LCAN L3 torpedoes.[5]
The João Belo class mounted Thomson-CSF DRBV 22A air search radar operating on the D band, and Thomson-CSF DR8V 50 surface search radar operating on the G band. For fire control radar, they mounted Thomson-CSF DRBC 31D radar operating on the I band and ARBR10 radar warning. For ASW, they had a hull-mounted EDO SQS-17A attack sonar coupled with a Thomson Sintra DU8A 3A search sonar.[5][4]
Modifications
In 1989, the frigates had two Loral Hycor Mk 36 SRBOC six-barrelled chaff launchers installed.[5] The frigates underwent significant modernization beginning in 1993. The "X" turret was removed along with the anti-submarine mortar. The João Belos received a new SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar, the AR-700(V2) intercept ESM replaced the ARBR10. The torpedo tubes were upgraded to the US Mk 32 torpedo tubes Mod 5 firing Honeywell Mk 46 torpedoes. Furthermore, they received the SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy system.[5][7] After all the modifications to the ship, the final result were frigates that had a displacement of 2,700 t (2,700 long tons), with a length of 102.7 m (336 ft 11 in), a draught of 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in) and a draught of 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in). The vessels had a maximum speed of 23.5 knots (43.5 km/h; 27.0 mph) and a range of 7,500 nmi (13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). They had a crew of 164 including 15 officers.[8]
Sold to Uruguay as ROU Comandante Pedro Campbell on 8 April 2008.[10] Decommissioned as of late 2018, used as spare parts for ROU Uruguay. Departed to Turkey for scrapping 1 July 2021.[13]
Construction and career
The four frigates of the class were ordered from the French shipyard Ateliers et chantiers de Bretagne (ACB) Nantes, with construction of the first ship beginning in 1965. Three more ships followed with construction ending in 1968 with the commissioning of the final ship in 1968. Comandante João Belo was the first ship to enter service and was sent on a mission to Bissau in January 1968. This was followed by a nearly year-long overseas deployment which involved monitoring the British blockade of Beira, Mozambique. In 1972, Comandante João Belo was among the Portuguese warships that sailed to Brazil for the nation's 150th anniversary of its independence.[9] In 1974 Comandante Roberto Ivens was among the Portuguese ships that was sent to Luanda as part of decolonization efforts there.[12]
Comandante João Belo deployed to NATO's STANAVFORLANT unit in 1983, 1984 and 1986.[9]Comandante Roberto Ivens was assigned to STANAVFORLANT in 1985, 1989 and 1991.[12]Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo was the first Portuguese warship to incorporate female crew.[11] On 16 May 2003, Comandante Roberto Ivens was stricken from the naval register and cannibalised for spare parts.[7][12] In 2004, Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo was stricken from service. Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo was chosen as a hull for the "Ocean Revival" program and stripped and decontaminated. The hull was then sunk as an artificial reef in 30 m (98 ft) of water off Portimão, Portugal.[11]
The two remaining frigates in active service of this class were replaced, in 2008, by the Bartolomeu Dias class in the Portuguese Navy.[14]Comandante João Belo was taken out of service in March 2008.[9]Comandante João Belo and Comandante Sacadura Cabral were sold to the Uruguayan Navy in April 2008, becoming, respectively ROU Uruguay and ROU Pedro Campbell.[10]Pedro Campbell was taken out service by Uruguay and cannibalized for parts. The vessel was sold for scrap in 2021.[13]
^The numbers vary widely between the sources. Couhat has the length overall at 103.0 m (337 ft 11 in), a length between perpendiculars of 98.0 m (321 ft 6 in), a beam of 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in) and a draught of 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)[4] Sharpe has the crew numbering 201 including 15 officers.[5] Lyon & Chumbley state that they share the same numbers as the French Commandant Rivière class and had a length overall of 103.0 m, a length between perpendiculars of 98.0 m, a beam of 11.5 m and a draught of 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in).[6]
Couhat, Jean Labayle, ed. (1986). Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN0-85368-860-5.
Lyon, Hugh & Chumbley, Stephen (1995). "Portugal". In Chumbley, Stephen (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 317–322. ISBN1-55750-132-7.
Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships 2004–2005 (107 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group Inc. ISBN0-7106-2623-1.
Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 (112 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group Inc. ISBN0-7106-2888-9.
Sharpe, Richard, ed. (1991). Jane's Fighting Ships 1991–92 (94 ed.). Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. ISBN0-7106-0960-4.
External links
"Ocean Revival".
December 28, 2022
joão, belo, class, frigate, other, people, named, joão, belo, joão, belo, disambiguation, joão, belo, class, also, known, comandante, joão, belo, class, class, four, frigates, french, design, based, commandant, rivière, class, fitted, tropical, service, ordere. For other people named Joao Belo see Joao Belo disambiguation The Joao Belo class also known as Comandante Joao Belo class is a class of four frigates of French design based on the Commandant Riviere class but fitted for tropical service Ordered by the Portuguese Navy in 1964 the four ships of this class were constructed at the shipyard in Nantes France between 1965 and 1967 The first ship entered Portuguese service in 1967 The frigates were used for ocean patrol of Portuguese colonies and later joined NATO s STANAVFORLANT unit The first unit was discarded in 2003 followed by a second in 2004 The final two ships were taken out of service in 2008 sold to the Uruguayan Navy The third ship was discarded in 2021 with one ship remaining in service NRP Comandante Joao BeloClass overviewNameJoao Belo classBuildersAC de Nantes FranceOperators Portuguese Navy National Navy of UruguayPreceded byAlmirante Pereira da Silva classSucceeded byBartolomeu Dias classIn commission1967 presentCompleted4Active1Scrapped3General characteristics as builtTypeFrigateDisplacement1 780 t 1 750 long tons 2 290 t 2 250 long tons full loadLength102 7 m 336 ft 11 in Beam11 7 m 38 ft 5 in Draught4 4 m 14 ft 5 in Installed power4 diesel engines SEMT Pielstick V12 PC 16 000 bhp 12 000 kW Propulsion2 shaftsSpeed26 6 knots 49 3 km h 30 6 mph maxRange4 500 nmi 8 300 km 5 200 mi at 15 kn 28 km h 17 mph Complement214Sensors and processing systemsDRBV22A sentry radar DRBC31D fire control radar DRBV50 surface search DUBA3 sonar SQS17 sonarElectronic warfare amp decoysARBR10 radar detectorArmament3 single 100 mm 3 9 in guns 2 40 mm 1 6 in guns 1 305 mm 12 in anti submarine mortar 2 triple 550 mm 22 in torpedo tubes Contents 1 Background 2 Description and design 2 1 Modifications 3 Ships 4 Construction and career 5 See also 6 Notelist 7 Citations 8 Sources 9 External linksBackground EditAfter World War II Portugal retained much of its colonial empire However beginning in 1961 the Portuguese colonial empire saw unrest and invasion This led Portugal to increase the number of ships capable of operating in colonial waters 1 In the 1960s the Portuguese Navy was interested in the acquisition of British frigates of the Leander class but because of British political opposition against Portugal this acquisition was impossible Portugal was then forced to buy frigates of an already existing project due to the urgency in the acquisition of naval ships for the defense of African Macanese and Timorese waters citation needed Description and design EditBased on the French Commandant Riviere class the Joao Belo class was designed for coastal patrol and convoy escort duty 2 However due to their planned use in Portuguese colonies in the Pacific and African regions they had additional equipment installed for tropical service 3 The vessels as built measured 102 7 metres 336 ft 11 in long overall with a beam of 11 7 m 38 ft 5 in and a draught of 4 4 m 14 ft 5 in The vessels had a standard displacement of 1 780 t 1 750 long tons and 2 290 t 2 250 long tons at full load The frigates were propelled by two shafts powered by four SEMT Pielstick V12 PC diesel engines creating 16 000 bhp 12 000 kW This gave the ships a maximum speed of 26 6 knots 49 3 km h 30 6 mph and a range of 2 300 nautical miles 4 300 km 2 600 mi at 25 knots 46 km h 29 mph or 4 500 nmi 8 300 km 5 200 mi at 15 knots 28 km h 17 mph The ships had a crew of 214 4 5 a The ships initially mounted three Creusot Loire 100 millimetre 3 9 in 55 calibre Mod 1953 naval guns in single mounts placed on the centreline in positions A X and Y The frigates also sported two Bofors 40 mm 1 6 in 60 guns in a twin turret situated in the B position on the centreline The 100 mm guns could fire a 13 kilograms 29 lb shell 9 nmi 17 km 10 mi at 80 elevation The 40 mm guns could fire a 0 89 kg 2 0 lb shell 6 6 nmi 12 2 km 7 6 mi at 90 elevation For anti submarine warfare ASW the Joao Belo class were equipped with a single Mortier four barrelled 305 mm 12 0 in anti submarine mortar with a range of 2 700 m 8 900 ft firing a 227 kg 500 lb projectile and two triple mounted 550 mm 22 in ASW torpedo tubes for LCAN L3 torpedoes 5 The Joao Belo class mounted Thomson CSF DRBV 22A air search radar operating on the D band and Thomson CSF DR8V 50 surface search radar operating on the G band For fire control radar they mounted Thomson CSF DRBC 31D radar operating on the I band and ARBR10 radar warning For ASW they had a hull mounted EDO SQS 17A attack sonar coupled with a Thomson Sintra DU8A 3A search sonar 5 4 Modifications Edit In 1989 the frigates had two Loral Hycor Mk 36 SRBOC six barrelled chaff launchers installed 5 The frigates underwent significant modernization beginning in 1993 The X turret was removed along with the anti submarine mortar The Joao Belos received a new SQS 510 hull mounted sonar the AR 700 V2 intercept ESM replaced the ARBR10 The torpedo tubes were upgraded to the US Mk 32 torpedo tubes Mod 5 firing Honeywell Mk 46 torpedoes Furthermore they received the SLQ 25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy system 5 7 After all the modifications to the ship the final result were frigates that had a displacement of 2 700 t 2 700 long tons with a length of 102 7 m 336 ft 11 in a draught of 11 7 m 38 ft 5 in and a draught of 4 4 m 14 ft 5 in The vessels had a maximum speed of 23 5 knots 43 5 km h 27 0 mph and a range of 7 500 nmi 13 900 km 8 600 mi at 15 knots 28 km h 17 mph They had a crew of 164 including 15 officers 8 Ships EditJoao Belo class construction data 3 Pennant Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned StatusF480 Comandante Joao Belo Ateliers et chantiers de Bretagne ACB Nantes 6 September 1965 22 March 1966 1 July 1967 Decommissioned in March 2008 9 Sold to Uruguay on 8 April 2008 and renamed ROU Uruguay 10 F481 Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo 13 May 1966 29 November 1966 26 April 1968 Decommissioned in 2004 Sunk in 2013 to form an artificial reef in Algarve Ocean Revival program 11 F482 Comandante Roberto Ivens 13 December 1966 8 August 1967 23 November 1968 Stricken 16 May 2003 12 F483 Comandante Sacadura Cabral 10 August 1967 15 March 1968 25 July 1969 Sold to Uruguay as ROU Comandante Pedro Campbell on 8 April 2008 10 Decommissioned as of late 2018 used as spare parts for ROU Uruguay Departed to Turkey for scrapping 1 July 2021 13 Construction and career EditThe four frigates of the class were ordered from the French shipyard Ateliers et chantiers de Bretagne ACB Nantes with construction of the first ship beginning in 1965 Three more ships followed with construction ending in 1968 with the commissioning of the final ship in 1968 Comandante Joao Belo was the first ship to enter service and was sent on a mission to Bissau in January 1968 This was followed by a nearly year long overseas deployment which involved monitoring the British blockade of Beira Mozambique In 1972 Comandante Joao Belo was among the Portuguese warships that sailed to Brazil for the nation s 150th anniversary of its independence 9 In 1974 Comandante Roberto Ivens was among the Portuguese ships that was sent to Luanda as part of decolonization efforts there 12 Comandante Joao Belo deployed to NATO s STANAVFORLANT unit in 1983 1984 and 1986 9 Comandante Roberto Ivens was assigned to STANAVFORLANT in 1985 1989 and 1991 12 Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo was the first Portuguese warship to incorporate female crew 11 On 16 May 2003 Comandante Roberto Ivens was stricken from the naval register and cannibalised for spare parts 7 12 In 2004 Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo was stricken from service Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo was chosen as a hull for the Ocean Revival program and stripped and decontaminated The hull was then sunk as an artificial reef in 30 m 98 ft of water off Portimao Portugal 11 The two remaining frigates in active service of this class were replaced in 2008 by the Bartolomeu Dias class in the Portuguese Navy 14 Comandante Joao Belo was taken out of service in March 2008 9 Comandante Joao Belo and Comandante Sacadura Cabral were sold to the Uruguayan Navy in April 2008 becoming respectively ROU Uruguay and ROU Pedro Campbell 10 Pedro Campbell was taken out service by Uruguay and cannibalized for parts The vessel was sold for scrap in 2021 13 See also EditPortuguese Colonial WarNotelist Edit The numbers vary widely between the sources Couhat has the length overall at 103 0 m 337 ft 11 in a length between perpendiculars of 98 0 m 321 ft 6 in a beam of 11 5 m 37 ft 9 in and a draught of 3 8 m 12 ft 6 in 4 Sharpe has the crew numbering 201 including 15 officers 5 Lyon amp Chumbley state that they share the same numbers as the French Commandant Riviere class and had a length overall of 103 0 m a length between perpendiculars of 98 0 m a beam of 11 5 m and a draught of 4 3 m 14 ft 1 in 6 Citations Edit Lyon amp Chumbley 1995 p 317 Couhat 1986 p 130 a b Lyon amp Chumbley 1995 p 319 a b c Couhat 1986 p 395 a b c d e f Sharpe 1991 p 460 Lyon amp Chumbley 1995 pp 117 319 a b Saunders 2004 p 572 NRP Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo in Portuguese Portuguese Navy Archived from the original on 30 December 2008 a b c d Fragata Comandante Joao Belo Aumentado ao Efetivo in Portuguese Portuguese Navy 1 July 2021 Retrieved 6 October 2022 a b c Saunders 2009 p 974 a b c Fragata Hermenegildo Capelo Aumentado ao Efetivo in Portuguese Portuguese Navy 26 April 2021 Retrieved 6 October 2022 a b c d NRP Comandante Roberto Ivens Aumentado ao Efetivo in Portuguese Portuguese Navy 23 November 2020 Retrieved 6 October 2022 a b Bonilla Javier 6 July 2021 Desguace de la fragata ROU 02 defensa com Retrieved 4 September 2022 Saunders 2009 p 630 Sources EditCouhat Jean Labayle ed 1986 Combat Fleets of the World 1986 87 Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press ISBN 0 85368 860 5 Lyon Hugh amp Chumbley Stephen 1995 Portugal In Chumbley Stephen ed Conway s All the World s Fighting Ships 1947 1995 Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press pp 317 322 ISBN 1 55750 132 7 Saunders Stephen ed 2004 Jane s Fighting Ships 2004 2005 107 ed Alexandria Virginia Jane s Information Group Inc ISBN 0 7106 2623 1 Saunders Stephen ed 2009 Jane s Fighting Ships 2009 2010 112 ed Alexandria Virginia Jane s Information Group Inc ISBN 0 7106 2888 9 Sharpe Richard ed 1991 Jane s Fighting Ships 1991 92 94 ed Surrey United Kingdom Jane s Information Group ISBN 0 7106 0960 4 External links Edit Ocean Revival Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joao Belo class frigate amp oldid 1122423825, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
