Patrulleros de Zona Marítima

The Patrulleros de Zona Marítima (PZM) ( Maritime Zone Patrol Boats ) are a series of offshore patrol vessels being built for the Navies of Chile, Argentina and Colombia.

History
The design of the PZM was developed by Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG, a Germany company to meet the Chilean Navy's requirements under the Danubio IV project. The contract for ASMAR to build the PZMs was signed on May 20, 2005, with Northrop Grumman, Sisdef (a consortium of BAE Systems and shipbuilder ASMAR (Chilean Navy)) and Rohde & Schwarz participating as main subcontractors at a cost of US$54 million to be commissioned by 2012. The vessels will be operated by the Coast Guard Service of the Chilean Navy and they will conduct patrol missions in Chile’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The design of the Proyecto Patrulleros de Zona Marítima is being promoted by Chile as a common platform for South American Navies through the Proyecto Patrullero de Alta Mar Regional or Regional Offshore Patrol Vessel committee.

On 2008, Argentina have ordered up to five PZM at a cost of US$120 million as part of its own Patrulleros de Alta Mar (PAM) programme to be constructed at its Río Santiago Shipyard. Finally on 2010 the Argentine Government launched the construction of the first four in the Tandanor Shipyard.

Colombian have ordered two vessel to be built at its Cartagena de COTECMAR shipyard by 2012.