Colombia’s New Frigate to carry Kongsberg propellers

Kongsberg Maritime announced on June 25, that it has signed a contract with Damen Naval to supply twin Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) and shaftlines for Colombia’s new frigate. This order marks another development in Colombia’s naval modernisation efforts under its Plataforma Stratégica de Superficie (PES) programme. 

Kongsberg’s CPP and shaftline systems are engineered to ensure optimal long-range operation while significantly reducing underwater radiated noise, the company states in its press release. A Controllable Pitch Propeller is a marine propeller with blade angles that can be adjusted while rotating, allowing dynamic control over the direction and amount of thrust generated. Unlike fixed-pitch propellers, CPPs enable vessels to change speed and even reverse without altering engine direction or RPM, similar to shifting gears in a car. This capability offers a range of benefits, including enhanced maneuverability, improved fuel efficiency by allowing the engine to run at optimal speeds regardless of vessel speed or load, and reduced noise and vibration. 

This contract builds on a strong existing relationship with Damen Naval, notably following a 2024 agreement for Kongsberg Maritime to supply CPP systems for four anti-submarine warfare frigates destined for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy. Colombia’s new frigate, based on Damen’s SIGMA design, is scheduled to begin construction at the end of 2025, with commissioning anticipated in late 2029 or early 2030, and ships based on the SIGMA design is already in service with navies including Mexico and Indonesia. Between all of these navies, it appears that the systems and production lines involved are relatively proven, indicating that the project should meet its current production schedule after a series of delays. 

Beyond propulsion, the Colombian Navy’s new frigate will feature a range of European systems. Saab, for instance, secured a contract in February 2025 to provide its 9LV Combat Management System and 9LV Fire Control System, along with various sensors and radars, including the Ceros 200 and Sea Giraffe 4A, for the PES frigate. Additionally, BAE Systems announced in March 2025 that it will supply a Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system for anti-aircraft and anti-surface operations, rounding out the frigate’s defensive and offensive capabilities. 

Calibre comment

There are reports that contract delays with Colombia’s new frigate led to cost increases, which resulted in a reduction in the number of SIGMA frigates that were ordered from five to one. All of the announcements since indicate that the number remains at one. The PES frigate will undoubtedly add a new set of capabilities to the Colombian Navy, but it is difficult to assess how useful it will actually be. It is typical to have four ships, aircraft, or sections of personnel to provide one persistent operational output – a patrol around a given area for instance. This allows one ship or aircraft to do that patrol, another to get ready to do the patrol, a thrid returning from patrol, and a fourth resting before it rotates to the next element of the patrol cycle. With just one new frigate, there will necessarily be periods – up to months or even years – where the ship is not at sea. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 27th June, 2025.