Lupo-class

Summary

Description

The Lupo class is a series of multipurpose frigates built by Cantieri Navali Riuniti (CNR) for the Italian Navy, with a focus on anti-surface warfare (ASuW). These ships saw widespread service and were eventually exported to both Peru and Venezuela, marking significant success in the international market. An iteration with minor updates is known as the Soldati class.

The origins of the Lupo class date to the early 1970s when Italy aimed to address the growing Soviet naval presence in the Mediterranean. The Lupo class responded to this challenge with a design suitable for 2,500-ton frigates that boasted high speed, up to 35 knots, and a substantial weapons complement. The class could carry 8 surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs), 8 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), multiple gun systems, 2 triple torpedo tubes, and accommodate an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, despite their relatively small size. The standard crew complement was around 200 personnel.

The Italian Navy commissioned four Lupo-class frigates between 1977 and 1980. They saw action during the final stages of the Iran-Iraq War, providing escort to tankers, and later during the Gulf War as part of Coalition forces. After significant service, they underwent upgrades before being sold to Peru in the early 2000s. Additionally, Italy incorporated four previously built Lupo-class frigates intended for Iraq as the Artigliere class in 1996, adapting them for long range patrolling duties after removing the ASW equipment.

The Peruvian Navy became an early customer of the Lupo-class, ordering four modified frigates with differing radars and missiles, and with enhanced helicopter facilities. Two were constructed in Italy, and two were locally made under license. Additional former Italian vessels were later acquired, including some transferred to the Peruvian Coast Guard.

Venezuela's order of six Lupo-class frigates arrived between 1980 and 1982, bearing resemblance to the Peruvian models but with some variation in electronics and missiles. Notably, two underwent significant upgrades by Ingalls Shipbuilding that replaced various systems and engines. However, due to different constraints, the remaining vessels did not receive the same level of modernization, and three were eventually decommissioned.

Technical specifications