Almirante Brown-class destroyer

See also: Brown-class destroyer
ARA Sarandí in 1990
Class overview
NameAlmirante Brown class
BuildersBlohm+Voss
Operators Argentine Navy
Preceded byHércules class
Built1980–1984
In service1983–present
Planned6
Completed4
Cancelled2
Active3
Retired1
General characteristics
TypeMEKO 360H2 destroyer
Displacement
  • 2,900 long tons (2,900 t) standard
  • 3,360 long tons (3,410 t) fully loaded
Length
  • 125.9 m (413 ft 1 in) oa
  • 119.0 m (390 ft 5 in) pp
Beam15 m (49 ft 3 in)
Draught5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
Propulsion
  • 2-shaft COGAG
  • 2 × Olympus TM 3B gas turbines, 51,800 shp (38,600 kW)
  • 2 × Tyne RM-IC gas turbines, 10,200 shp (7,600 kW)
Speed30.5 knots (56.5 km/h; 35.1 mph)
Range4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Complement200
Armament
Aircraft carried1 helicopter
Aviation facilitiesHelicopter deck and hangar

The Almirante Brown class is a class (MEKO 360H2 type) of warships built for the Argentine Navy. They were commissioned between 1983 and 1984, after the Falklands War. The class comprised four ships; Almirante Brown, La Argentina, Heroína and Sarandí. Heronia was retired in 2024 after a period of prolonged inactivity.[2]

The ships are classified as either frigates or destroyers by different publications. The MEKO 360 type warships are based on modular designs which allow quick changes to the vessel's armaments depending on mission requirements. The modular nature of the construction also allows the ships to be modernized or refitted with greater ease. Six vessels were initially ordered, however two ships were cancelled and replaced with orders for MEKO 140 type hulls.

Ordered in 1979, construction of the ships was delayed as the British turbines were embargoed after the Falklands War. Furthermore, the acquisition of helicopters for the vessels has seen many incarnations. They were initially intended to be equipped with Westland Lynx helicopters, but the order was cancelled in 1982. The planned replacement Agusta-Bell AB 212 helicopters were not funded and instead, all of the Almirante Brown class deploy with AS 555 Fennec, while only La Argentina and Sarandí can employ SH-3D Sea King helicopters. Almirante Brown took part in Gulf War operations in 1990. All of the ships can be used as flagships.

  1. ^ "Almirante Brown class". military-today.com. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  2. ^ Piñeiro, Luis (26 March 2024). "El destructor Clase MEKO 360 ARA "Heroína" de la Armada Argentina al desguace tras una historia rocambolesca". defensa.com. Retrieved 27 March 2024.