The Portuguese Navy has been embarking on a fleet wide regeneration program, part of it is the effort to conduct a Mid-Life-Update (MLU) of its frigates and extension of their service life into 2035.
Such efforts aren’t new, since 2005 the Navy has shown the desire to upgrade its main surface combatants, at the time its 3 Vasco da Gama class frigates. But in the end budgetary constraints never allowed for more than some minor modernisations.
As for the Bartolomeu Dias class frigates, purchased in the 2010s, the intent to modernise them began soon in 2012, in 2016 the budget was approved and in 2022 the program was concluded with both frigates having undergone its modernisation.
Now its expected to be the turn of the Vasco da Gama frigates, the budget was approved in 2020, and bids have already been made, but as of the time of writing no contract has been signed.
The Bartolomeu Dias class MLU:
The history of the Bartolomeu Dias frigates dates back to the early 2000s and the need to replace the obsolete João Belo class frigates, in 2003 the then Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Francisco António Torres Vidal, stating that the Military Programming Law of the time included the purchase of 3x second hand frigates, two of them with aerial area defence capabilities (1).
The following year it was announced that frigates would be 2x Oliver Hazard Perry from the United States (2), but in the end the contract would end up falling to the Netherlands, with the country selling two of its Karel Doorman class frigates (currently known as M class) in a deal worth 240 million euros and signed on the 1st of November, 2006 (3).
The two ships that Portugal purchased were the HNLMS Van Nes (F833), commissioned in the Dutch Navy on the 2nd of June of 1994 and the HNLMS Van Galen (F834) which was commissioned on the 1st of December of the same year. In the Portuguese Navy they became NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333) entering service on the 16th of January of 2009 and NRP Dom Francisco da Almeida (F334) which entered service on the 15th of January of 2010.
In 2016 the work to begin the MLU of the two ships began with a budget approval of 100 million euros in a program set to last until 2024 and in order to ensure that the frigates were operational till 2035 (5).
In May 2018 the MLU process began with the arrival of NRP Bartolomeu Dias to the Netherlands, at Den Halder Naval Base (6). The ship was expected to return to Portugal sometime in the 2nd semester of 2020, but its return ended up being postponed to the 1st semester of 2021 (7) and it the end it only returned to Lisbon on the 25th of October 2021 (8).
As for NRP D. Francisco da Almeida it departed Portugal on the 11th of July 2020 on route to the Netherlands (9), returning two years later on the 18th of October 2022 with its MLU having been completed (10).
So, what was done? The MLU encompassed 4 areas, weaponry, sensors, the platform and command and control (11)
Regarding weaponry, the Harpoon Ship Command-Launch Control System (HSCLCS) was updated to the version Federated V12 for a cost of 5 million euros (12). Such upgrade allows the ships to employ the improved RGM-4L Harpoon Block II, of which Portugal procured 8 conversion kits in 2024 from the Royal Netherlands Navy, allowing the partial replacement of the ageing RGM-84D (13).
The ships missile defence was also improved, previously the Mk-48 VLS with 16 cells could only employ the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, Portugal having the P and M variants in service. With the MLU the frigates will be able to be armed with the latest RIM-162 ESSM Block II. In 2020 Portugal procured 16 such missiles for 19.5 million euros (14).
As for the Goalkeeper CIWS it also received an update, they were the inclusion of detection and tracking capabilities in the electro-optical and infrared spectrum, and increased capacity to process information and an improvement of the interface and its optimisation with the combat system for an improved interoperability with other sensors.
Sensors wise, the frigates received IFF Mode 5, Elbit’s D-COMPASS FLIR system and Thales Gatekeeper was installed on the new mast. Gatekeeper provides a 360º panoramic vision with non-rotating IR/TV cameras (15). From Thales also came the new Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system, the Vigile-D.
As for the platform, the frigates received a latest generation Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) from RH Marine. The ships then received two reverse osmosis freshwater generators and two new groups of air conditioning/chilled water. A new mast was also installed plus 2200 new cables with a total extension of 42.4km.
For the Command and Control the ships received the CMS Guardion combat system, developed by the Royal Netherlands Navy, a new SATCOM, Link 16, procured for 1.8 million euros (16) and capability for Link 22.
The Vasco da Gama class MLU:
The Vasco da Gama class frigates were procured in 1986 in a wider NATO effort to assist Portugal in the procurement of three modern surface combatants. The story behind the procurement was at this point a decade long with the program for new frigates having begun in 1976.
Initially it was the Dutch Kortenaer class frigates that were to be purchased but, in the end, it would be the German Blohm + Voss securing the contract with its Meko 200 vessels, Portugal receiving significant financial and material donations for the ships.
All ships entered service with the Portuguese Navy in 1991, with now 34 years of service they are NRP Vasco da Gama (F330), NRP Álvares Cabral (F331) and NRP Corte-Real (F332).
As stated before during its service for the Portuguese Navy the frigates never received a comprehensive MLU despite it being planned several times under the Military Programming Law.
The minor upgrades conducted was to the Mk.15 Phalanx, which modernised to the Block 1B standard and in 2016 their NAUTOS system (command and control) was modernised with the instalment of IPMS (17). Vasco da Gama was the first to receive it and was later installed in the Álvares de Cabral in 2023 (18), NRP Corte-Real received it in January 2025 (19).
In 2022 the budget was approved for the MLU, the Portuguese Navy would have 120 million euros for the modernisation of two frigates (20), the third frigate will only receive an update.
The split is justified the following way (21):
“A. In the comprehensive modernization (upgrade) of the two ships, there will be a focus on eradicating logistical, technical and operational obsolescence, in order to be able to use them in scenarios of high intensity and operational demand, fulfilling all the purposes foreseen in the System of Forces (SF) and guaranteeing interoperability within the framework of NATO standards, with a strong focus on ASW warfare capability.”
“B. In the update of the third ship of the class, the focus will be on modernizing the platform management system and communications systems, gearing it towards operational scenarios of maritime security, humanitarian assistance and response to civil emergencies. The operation of autonomous vehicles and the capacity to embark amphibious detachments will be included to the maximum extent possible. The maintenance of non-modernized systems and equipment will be carried out using those that were removed from the other two ships, as part of the modernization.”
Former Chief of Staff, Admiral Gouveia e Melo also stated that the third ship would be “an experimental ship for the command and control of amphibious raids” as well as a testing vessel for future solutions (22).
Currently its known that NRP Vasco da Gama is the expected to be upgrade, between September 2023 and April 2024 the ship was stripped of the majority of its SEWACO (Sensor, Weapon Control and Command) systems, its mast has also been removed and so has the cabling for the equipment that’s going to be replaced (23). The fate of the other two frigates is currently unknown.
It’s also wise to recall that NRP Vasco da Gama hasn’t sailed since 2017 and has since then been docked at Lisbon Naval Base (24).
Currently the plans for the MLU are for an increased ASW capacity, a replacement of a series and sensors and communication systems and refurbishment of other legacy equipment, to be done via a contract on NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency), with the Portuguese Government also supplying some equipment that it will procure itself.
Titled “FFGH MLU/OPV SEWACO Acquisition, Install, Integration & ILS” the prime contractor will also work with the new OPV3S that are currently being built by West Sea Shipyards in Viana do Castelo.
The major equipment’s to be supplied are thus, a new Combat Management System, a new 3D radar, IFF Mode 5, ESM, a Fire Control Radar among other systems.
Government Furnished Equipment will be a second Phalanx CIWS (Portugal is said to have two more in stock), a Towed Array Sonar with an active and passive mode, 12.7mm RWS, SATCOM, etc.
The vessels current armament will only be refurbished, this includes the 100mm main gun, the Phalanx currently installed, the Mk.29 launcher for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, HSCLCS V6/7 Harpoon launchers and sonar.
Below is the scope of supply for the ships, and a graph detailing who supplies which systems via NSPA.
Regarding some specifications on the 3D radar, it is essential that it has a minimum calculated range of 0.32NM (~600 meters), a maximum calculated range of 64NM (118 km) for the detection of aerial targets and 32NM (59 km) for surface targets.
It is desirable that it should detect aerial targets with an RCS of 0.1m2 up to a range of at least 20NM (37 km) and essential that it can process and report at least 300 aerial plots and 100 surface plots.
The tender on NSPA was published on the 18th of April 2024 and reached its end on the 30th of June that year and 5 bids were received, from Rafael; Elbit Systems; Thales Edisoft Portugal; Lockheed Martin Canada CDL and STM. As of the time of writing, 10 months later, no contract has been signed.
The Portuguese Navy, in 2023, expected the first ship to be delivered in July 2026 and the second in July of 2027 (25), but the lack of a contract could delay the program. The Navy has also specified that all work must be done in Portugal, at Arsenal do Alfeite, and as for the personnel performing the work it will be up to the prime contractor to decide.
Portugal also has two other programs related to the Vasco da Gama MLU currently undergoing on NSPA. The first is for the supply of 12.7mm RWS in a wider contract that will also provide 30mm RWS for the OPV3S and other 12.7mm RWS for the same ships as well as the new Coastal Patrol Vessels and AOR’s. This also includes as an option the purchase of two more 12.7mm RWS for the third Vasco da Gama frigate that will receive an update.
This program started on the 14th of August 2024 and is currently yet to leave the Future Business Opportunity having suffered 6 consecutive delays, the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase is only expected to start on the 18th of April.
The other program is “Ship modification works in Lisbon” which started on the 5th of February and is expected to pass on to the RFP phase on the 18th of April. The scope of the program is to “perform modifications under the FFGH MLU Program” in which the contractor will build and install antenna masts, do cabling, piping and other work.
Portugal should then enter the next decade with 4 modernised frigates as its main surface combatants, but their age does raise questions about the viability of the Portuguese Navy plan to have them serve until at least 2035, by then the Vasco da Gama class frigates will be 44 years old and the majority of its weaponry will be from the 1980s, the Bartolomeu Dias class frigates will meanwhile be 41 years old who will also suffer similar issues on some of its weaponry and sensors systems.
Perhaps the biggest question mark into the future will be when Portugal will procure new frigates and how many exactly.
Sources:
1: Francisco António Torres Vidal, “Dia da Marinha, Mensagem do Almirante CEMA”, Revista da Armada, Nº365: 4
2: Francisco António Torres Vidal, “Cerimónia de abertura do ano operacional 2004/05”, Revista da Armada, Nº381: 9
4: Direção de Navios, “As Fragatas Holandesas da classe «Karel Doorman» ou M-Class”, Revista da Armada, Nº403: 17
5: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/2664-2016-73658963
6: “NRP Bartolomeu Dias efetua o Midlife upgrade na Holanda”, Revista da Armada, Nº543: 18
7: Superintendência do Material, “Esquadra” Revista da Armada, Nº558: 7
11: GP MLU and Commanders of F333 and F334, “Modernização de meia-vida fragatas da classe Bartolomeu Dias”, Revista da Armada, Nº567: 18
12: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/4213-2017-107023698
13: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/13492-2024-896585407
14: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/3562-2017-106927017
16: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/2667-2016-73658966
17: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/8088-2014-25700570
19: Superintendência do Material, “Modernizações”, Revista da Armada, Nº602: 16
20: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/12804-2022-203043627
21: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/13822-2022-203943456
22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BnL5E3OMY8&t=1424s
23: Superintendência do Material, “Modernizações”, Revista da Armada, Nº602: 16
25: Direção de Navios e GP MLU, “Um novo desígnio tecnológico fragatas classe Vasco da Gama”, Revista da Armada, Nº584: 19
“FFGH MLU/OPV SEWACO Acquisition, Install, Integration & ILS” https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/eProcurement5G/Opportunities/Opportunities/RequestForProposalDetails/JBgkrkyxm89-aYOwNRL-jA
Naval Remote Weapon Systems https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/eProcurement5G/Opportunities/Opportunities/FutureBusinessOpportunityDetails/XnXBt2vGTSwjUvNYi0yYww
Ship modification works in Lisbon https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/eProcurement5G/Opportunities/Opportunities/FutureBusinessOpportunityDetails/Y111Du2n_6ly9NSUi9sxTQ