London 07 September 2005 - An agreement with the Chilean Government for the sale of three ex-RN Type 23 frigates HM Ships F 230 NORFOLK, F80 GRAFTON, and F233 MARLBOROUGH is to be signed later today.

The agreement, signed by Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement and Chilean Minister of Defence Ravinet, follows the sale of HMS Sheffield (now the FMG Almirante WILLIAMS) in 2003, and will pave the way for delivery of the three ships to the Chilean Navy around the end of 2008

Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement said:

"These three Type 23 frigates have become available as a consequence of the restructuring of our Armed Forces to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. The Royal Navy will continue to operate the Type 23. I am delighted that these excellent ships will now also see service in the Chilean Navy.

"This sale will continue the long tradition of naval links with Chile, who are an increasingly important partner for the UK in international peacekeeping and security operations. This agreement will appreciably enhance Chile's ability to contribute in that field."

Chile signed a Letter of Intent in December 2004, modified by an Addendum in June 05, to purchase all three ships. Following a period of contract negotiations with Chile and the UK industrial prime contractor, BAE Systems, all parties are now in a position to sign a Sales Agreement for the transfer of the ships to Chile.

BACKGROUND NOTES:

1) In July 2004 the then Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, announced a reduction in Royal Navy Destroyer and Frigate numbers from 31 to 25. This was to be achieved, in part, by the withdrawal from service of three Type 23 frigates (HM Ships NORFOLK, MARLBOROUGH and GRAFTON).

2) The value of the sale to Chile which includes the three ships, pre-sale sanitisation and maintenance, and training is £135million( around U$ 250 million).

Note Defesa @ Net

Chile until the end of decade wil have a powerfull Navy with addition of:

8 frigates as follow:
- Three former Royal Navy frigates( formerly Type 23 frigate Duke Class F 230 NORFOLK, F80 GRAFTON, and F233 MARLBOROUGH)
- Almirante Williams (formerly Type 22 frigate HMS Sheffield)
- Two former L Class Dutch Navy frigates (Jacob van Heemskerck and Witte de With)
- Two former M Class Dutch Navy frigates (Abraham van der Hulst and Tjerk Hiddes)

More 2 brand new submarines Scorpène Class, first unit (O´Higgins), ready to enter operational service and the second ( Thomson) at 2008/09.

Type 23 are new ships being the enter operational service at Royal Navy as follow, units below are considered Type 23 Batch 1:
F 230 NORFOLK - 1990
F80 GRAFTON - 1996
F233 MARLBOROUGH - 1991

Last Type 23 unit to enter operational service at Royal Navy was 2002, and 13 will remain in service of 16 produced.