Almirante Padilla-class frigate

The Almirante Padilla-class frigate is a group of frigates operated by the Colombian Navy. The designation of this class is Type FS 1500 and there are 4 ships in service. The ships were built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel, Germany. Two similar ships operates as the Kasturi class frigates in the Malaysian Navy.

Propulsion
The Almirante Padilla Class is powered by a CODAD propulsion system, provided by four MTU diesels driving two shafts and developing 23,400 hp driving two Controllable Pitch propellers. This gives a maximum speed of 28 knots, and a range of 7,000 nm at 14 knots.

Aircraft
The Almirante Padilla Class does not have a hangar facility, and thus does not have an embarked helicopter. The landing platform aft is suitable for an Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm MBB Bo 105 CBS-5 or the Eurocopter AS-555-SN Fennec for over-the-horizon targeting.

Orion Program Upgrade
Thales Group.

January 2012, Thales Group delivers the first upgraded Almirante Padilla class frigate to the Colombian Navy.

Equipment upgrades include:
 * Smart-s Mk2 radar
 * SETIS combat system
 * Sting-EO Mk2 naval fire control tracking system
 * MIRADOR electro-optical multi-sensor surveillance, tracking and fire control system
 * Vigile Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) system
 * TERMA SKSW DL-12T decoy system
 * MTU M-93 engines
 * New communication systems

In addition, OTO Melara DART ammunition and 16 SSM-700K Hae Sung I (Sea Star) anti-ship missiles were ordered

Ship names

 * Almirante Padilla (FM-51) - commissioned 31 October 1983
 * Caldas (FM-52) - commissioned 12 February 1984
 * Antioquia (FM-53) - commissioned 30 April 1984
 * Independiente (FM-54) - commissioned 27 July 1984