REFORMADOR class

 1 REFORMADOR-class FRIGATE (FF) (Damen Sigma 10514 design)
 Name           Pendant No.   Launched         Commissioned     Status 
 BENITO JUAREZ  101           Nov. 23, 2018    Feb. 6, 2020     Active 

The REFORMADOR class is a Mexican frigate based on Damen's Sigma 10514 design. The build is similar to Indonesia's RADEN EDDY MARTADINATA-class frigates but slightly longer, with more advanced systems and different weapons configurations. The vessel is used for patrol, law enforcement, long-range search-and-rescue (SAR) and humanitarian missions.

HULL: The ship was constructed from six modules composed of 51 steel blocks built separately and assembled at the ASTIMAR yard in Salina Cruz, Mexico. The four modules built in Mexico were constructed using AH36 and A131 steel alloy.
A single landing spot and hangar at the stern can handle a medium-sized helicopter. Rigid-hull inflatable boats can also be deployed from the stern.
At full load the ship displaces 2,833 tons. The REFORMADOR class measures 351 ft 5 in (107.1 m) in length, with a beam of 45 ft 11 in (14.0 m) and a draft of 12 ft 2 in (3.7 m).
The ship can accommodate a crew of 122 along with 20 passengers.

ENGINEERING: The class features a Combined Diesel or Electric (CODOE) propulsion system. Two SEMT-Pielstick 20PA6B STC diesels and two 1,743-bhp electric motors drive two shafts and two controllable-pitch propellers. The system's total output is 27,577 bhp. Six Cat generators and an emergency generator set are also fitted, along with two double input/single output gearboxes.

The ship can attain a top speed of 27 knots and reach a maximum range of 5,000 nm (9,260 km) at 14 knots. It can operate for 20 days days at sea.

ARMAMENT: The ship can handle a medium helicopter, typically an MH-60R Seahawk or an AS-565 Panther. Two quad launchers are equipped for AGM-84 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles. A 21-cell Mk 49 launcher carries RIM-116C Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block II surface-to-air missiles. The class is fitted for, but not with an eight-cell vertical launch system (VLS) capable of firing RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM).
BAE Systems provides the 57-mm SAK 57 Mk 3 Bofors main gun positioned on the forward bow deck. Two 25-mm Mk 38 Mod 2 guns are equipped along with six 12.7-mm machine guns.
Two triple 324-mm Mk 32 torpedo tubes carry an unknown number of U.S-made Mk 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes.

SENSORS/ELECTRONICS: Thales supplied the SMART-S Mk 2 radar which offers both air and surface surveillance. Raytheon Anschutz' Synapsis dual-band navigation radar is installed, operating in the I/J and E/F bands. A STIR 1.2 Mk 2 electro-optical fire control radar and tracking system is also fitted. Thales provided the Gatekeeper electro-optical security system for the ship, the first export order for the system.
A CAPTAS-2 variable depth sonar can reach an operational depth of up to 820 ft (250.0 m).
Indra's RIGEL electronic warfare suite is fitted, providing jamming and deception countermeasures against multiple threats. A Thales C-Guard decoy launcher is also fitted.
Ten operator consoles are installed for the Thales TACTICOS combat management system (CMS). The CMS interfaces with onboard sensors to provide enhanced situational awareness and combat readiness.

In service.

Originally planned as a class of six ships, the REFORMADOR class was later expanded to eight, though only a single ship was built.

A contract for the first vessel, originally named REFORMADOR was signed in early 2017 with Damen Shipbuilding, Mexico announced on April 10, 2017. The vessel was a joint project between Damen and Mexican state-owned shipyard Astilleros de la Secretaria de Marina (ASTIMAR). Per the agreement, two of the ship’s construction modules would be built at Damen’s Vlissingen shipyard, with the remaining four built as ASTIMAR yard 20 in Salina Cruz, Mexico. Final assembly would also take place at the ASTIMAR shipyard. The vessel is the first new warship to be constructed in Mexico in eight decades.

The Mexican navy announced the symbolic keel laying for the REFORMADOR on Aug. 17, 2017, at the Damen Schelde Shipyard in Vlissingen.

France’s Thales Group was contracted in 2017 to provide critical mission systems including electronics and sensors for the frigate, with a projected delivery window of early 2020.

Naval Today reported on April 18, 2018 that Damen had contracted Spanish technology firm Indra to equip the REFORMADOR class with its RIGEL electronic defense system.

The navy provided an update on the project on Sept. 27, 2018, stating that the REFORMADOR was 78 percent complete. Per the statement, the command bridge, the second of the two modules built by Damen, had also been delivered to the ASTIMAR yard for assembly.

On Nov. 23, 2018, the REFORMADOR was launched and flagged at a ceremony in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. During the ceremony, Mexican officials outlined a plan for eight REFORMADOR-class frigates, up from the originally planned six. Four frigates were planned for deployment with the Pacific and Gulf Fleets of the Mexican navy over the next 20 years.

From Nov. 18 to Dec. 9, 2019, the REFORMADOR carried out sea acceptance trials in the waters near the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. During these tests, the vessel tested combat systems and ship handling, including the successful use of the Thales SMART-S Mk 2 radar.

The navy announced the REFORMADOR had been delivered and formally commissioned on Feb. 6, 2020, following completion of sea trials the previous December.

The frigate was renamed BENITO JUAREZ by presidential decree in March 2020 to honor the former president of the same name.

Damen Schelde, Vlissingen, Netherlands (2 modules)
ASTIMAR 20, Salina Cruz Mexico (4 modules)

 CREW
   Total                   122 + 20 passengers
 DISPLACEMENT
   Full load               2,833 tons
 DIMENSIONS
   Length                  351 ft  5 in (107.1 m)
   Beam                     45 ft 11 in ( 14.0 m)
   Draft                    12 ft  2 in (  3.7 m)  
 PROPULSION
   Main                    CODOE:
                           2 x SEMT-Pielstick 20PA6B STC diesels
                           2 x 1,743-bhp electric motors
      power                27,577 total bhp; 2 shafts; 2 controllable-pitch propellers
 PERFORMANCE
   Speed                   27 knots
   Range                   5,000 nm (9,260 km) at 14 knots        
   Endurance               20 days
 COMBAT SYSTEMS
   Helicopters             1 x MH-60R Seahawk or AS-565 Panther
   Missiles                2 x quad AGM-84 Harpoon Block II missile launchers
                           1 x 21-cell Mk 49 launcher [RIM-116C RAM Block II SAM carried]
                           1 x 8-cell Mk 56 VLS [RIM-162 ESSM SAM carried](fitted for)
   Guns                    1 x 57-mm Sak 57 Mk 3 Bofors
                           2 x 25-mm Mk 38 Mod 2
                           6 x 12.7-mm machine guns
   Torpedo tubes           2 x triple 324-mm Mk 32 tubes [Mk 54 Mod 0 torpedoes carried]
   Radars                  1 x Thales SMART-S Mk 2 air/surface surveillance
                           1 x Raytheon Anschutz Synapsis navigation
   Fire control            1 x STIR 1.2 Mk 2 electro-optical
   Sonar                   1 x CAPTAS-2 variable depth   
   E/O                     1 x Gatekeeper infrared/television
   EW                      1 x Indra RIGEL EW suite
                           1 x C-Guard decoy launcher
 

Despite plans for a class of eight ships, shifting government priorities and financial constraints in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic limited the class to a single ship, BENITO JUAREZ. As of 2024, plans for additional hulls seem stalled indefinitely.

BENITO JUAREZ participated in its first international exercise, the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 near Hawaii in August 2020. It served as the lead ship of the Mexican contingent, bringing a crew of 124 sailors with an embarked AS-565 Panther helicopter.

In June 2022, BENITO JUAREZ once again participated in the RIMPAC exercises alongside 25 other nations. The Mexican contingent included the frigate along with ten Zodiac inflatable boats, a Marine infantry company, a specialized explosive team and other military and government advisors. BENITO JUAREZ notably participated in the naval fire support competition at the event, placing second out of 22 competing vessels.

Damen’s SIGMA 10514 frigate design. Mexican designation is Patrulla Oceanica de largo alcanze (POLA), meaning long-range ocean patrol.