Algeria receives second amphibious support ship after modernisation

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The Algerian Navy has taken delivery of the second amphibious logistic support and landing ship from Navantia after it was repaired and modernised and given a service life extension.

The Kalaat Beni Hammad was handed over at Navantia’s Ferrol Estuary shipyard, the Spanish company announced on 21 September.

The event, chaired by the representative of the Algerian Naval Forces, was formalized with the signing of minutes of delivery, signed by the director of Ria de Ferrol Repairs Lorenzo Miguel Rodriguez and the President of Algeria’s naval seaworthiness committee CER (Commission de Essais et de Recette), Navantia said.

The work began in June 2014, when the ship arrived at Ferrol.

The first vessel, the BDSL 473 Kalaat Beni Rached, arrived at Ferrol in November 2012 and was delivered in June 2014.

The upgrade of the 2 130 tonne vessel involved the complete overhauls of engines and systems, life extension repairs and the integration of a new command and control system, new gun and targeting systems and the structural modernisation of the vessels for greater performance and safety.

Navantia received the Algerian contract in July 2012, covering Kalaat Beni Rached (BDSL 473) and her sister ship Kalaat Beni Hammad (BDSL 472). The work is estimated to have been worth 75 million euros, Navantia’s biggest ever contract for its Navantia Reparaciones repair division.

The two amphibious logistics ships were built in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. They feature a bow ramp to land vehicles with, a large internal vehicle storage area and ramps fore and aft. Although a hangar is not fitted, a helicopter deck can operate heavy helicopters.