BAP Carvajal (FM-51)

BAP Carvajal in July 2005
History
Peru
Name:	Carvajal
Namesake:	Melitón Carvajal
Ordered:	1973
Builder:	Cantieri Navali Riuniti (CNR)
Laid down:	8 August 1974
Launched:	17 November 1976
Commissioned:	23 December 1979
Homeport:	Callao
Identification:	FM-51
Peru
Name:	Guardiamarina San Martin
Operator:	Peruvian Coast Guard
Recommissioned:	26 December 2013
Reclassified:	Offshore patrol vessel
Homeport:	Callao
Identification:	PO-201
Status:	Active in service
Notes:	ITU callsign: OBHH
General characteristics
Class & type:	Carvajal-class frigate
Displacement:	2,206 tonnes (2,525 tonnes full load)
Length:	113.2 m (371 ft) overall 106 m (348 ft) waterline
Beam:	11.3 m (37 ft)
Draught:	3.7 m (12 ft)
Propulsion:	2-shaft CODOG system 2 GE / Fiat LM2500 gas turbines 50,000 shp (37,000 kW) 2 GMT A230-20 diesel engines 7,800 shp (5,800 kW)
Speed:	35 knots (65 km/h) with gas turbines 21 knots (39 km/h) with diesel engines
Range:	4,350 nautical miles (8,056 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h)
Complement:	193 (22 officers)
Sensors and processing systems:	Selenia IPN-10 action data automation (CMS) 1 RAN-11L/X surface search radar 1 RTN-10 × fire control radar 2 navigation radar
Armament:	1 OTO Melara 127/54 mm gun 2 OTO Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO compact gun
Aircraft carried:	1 AB-212ASW helicopter or 1 ASH-3D Sea King (deck only)
Aviation facilities:	Fixed hangar for 1 medium helicopter

BAP Carvajal was the first out of four Carvajal-class frigates ordered by the Peruvian Navy in 1973. It was built by the Italian shipbuilder Cantieri Navali Riuniti at its shipyard in Riva Trigoso, Genoa. Though sea trials were initiated on 9 June 1977 its commissioning was delayed until 23 December 1979 due to delays in equipment deliveries by some subcontractors. In 1998 her flight deck was extended to allow ASH-3D Sea King helicopters to land and refuel, even though they can't be housed in the ship's hangar.

Carvajal was named after Vice Admiral Melitón Carvajal (1845–1935) who fought in the War of the Pacific. On 26 December 2013, after being stripped of its missile weaponry, fire control systems and main radar, the ship was reclassified as Patrullera Oceánica (Offshore patrol vessel) and transferred to the Coast Guard under the name BAP Guardiamarina San Martin (PO-201).

Sources

• Rodríguez, John, "Las fragatas Lupo: una breve mirada retrospectiva y perspectivas". Revista de Marina, Year 95, No. 3: 8-32 (July / December 2002).
• Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006