Sierra-class corvette

Four Sierra class corvettes
Class overview
Name:	Sierra-class
Builders:	Tampico Naval Shipyard and Salina Cruz Naval Shipyard
Operators:	Mexican Navy
Preceded by:	Holzinger-class patrol vessel
Succeeded by:	Durango-class patrol vessel
Planned:	4
Completed:	4
Active:	3
Lost:	1
General characteristics
Type:	Offshore patrol vessel
Displacement:	1,335 tons
Length:	75m
Propulsion:	2 diesel Caterpillar 3616 V16 12,394 bhp.
Speed:	18 knots
Range:	3830 at 18 knots.
Complement:	Crew 74, Passengers 16
Sensors and processing systems:	Fire Control System: DAFCO Optronic system. Navigation: X-Bnd Radar Surf/Air search: S band radar.
Armament:	1 Bofors 57 mm gun Mk 2
Aircraft carried:	1 x MBB Bo 105
Aviation facilities:	One helicopter hangar and Helipad

The Sierra-class oceanic patrol corvettes are intended mainly for interception of drug smugglers, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrol, and countering terrorism. The class comprises four ships with the lead ship ARM (Armada de la Republica Mexicana/Mexican Republic Navy) Sierra (P-141) commissioned by the Mexican Navy in 2000.

Originally, this project was designated Holzinger 2000 because it is a further development of Mexican Navy Holzinger-class ships introduced in the early 1990s. These ships represent modern shipbuilding with an aft flight deck and hangar for one MBB BO-105C helicopter, stealth features and one 57mm Mk2 naval gun in the fore deck to engage air and surface targets.

Ships

• ARM Sierra (P-141)
• ARM Juarez (P-142) - Taken out of service after a fire incident.
• ARM Prieto (P-143)
• ARM Romero (P-144)

References

• Wertheim, E. (2007) Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. 15 edition. US Naval Institute Press.