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BAP Almirante Grau (CLM-81)
Encyclopedia
BAP Almirante Grau (CLM-81) is a De Zeven Provinciën-class
cruiser
in service with the Peruvian Navy
. Completed for the Royal Netherlands Navy
in 1953 as HNLMS De Ruyter (C801), it was acquired by Peru in 1973. Since then, it has served as the fleet flagship
of the Peruvian Navy. The Almirante Grau underwent a major modernization program between 1985 and 1988 during which it was fitted with new weapons and electronics. It is currently the last gun cruiser in service in any navy.
in 1953 as HNLMS De Ruyter. After two decades in service, she was decommissioned
in 1973, and in the same year the Peruvian Navy
bought the ship as a counter to the acquisition of the Swedish
cruiser
Gota Lejon
by the Chilean Navy
. Renamed Almirante Grau, in honor of the Peru
vian Admiral
Miguel Grau
, she arrived to its new homeport of Callao
on July 11, 1973. The Almirante Grau became fleet flagship
replacing a former cruiser
of the same name (the ex-HMS Newfoundland
) which was renamed Capitán Quiñones
.
, period during which she was denominated Proyecto de Modernización 01 (Modernization Project 01) or PM-01. Her role as flagship
was assumed by her sistership Aguirre
as Almirante Grau. Both ships regained their former names when the ex-De Ruyter reached Callao
on February 15, 1988.
The upgrade program carried out in the Netherlands
included the following:
Further work was carried out by SIMA dockyards in Callao
as follows:
Currently, the Almirante Grau is the last gun cruiser
(although it has the capabilities of firing Otomat guided missiles, plus its main armament) in service in any navy, and Peru is one of only three countries to operate cruisers today, along with the United States and Russia.
De Zeven Provinciën class cruiser
The De Zeven Provinciën-class is a class of light cruisers. They were built by Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij and Wilton-Fijenoord for the Royal Netherlands Navy...
cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
in service with the Peruvian Navy
Peruvian Navy
The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
. Completed for the Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
in 1953 as HNLMS De Ruyter (C801), it was acquired by Peru in 1973. Since then, it has served as the fleet flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of the Peruvian Navy. The Almirante Grau underwent a major modernization program between 1985 and 1988 during which it was fitted with new weapons and electronics. It is currently the last gun cruiser in service in any navy.
Acquisition
The Almirante Grau was completed for the Royal Netherlands NavyRoyal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
in 1953 as HNLMS De Ruyter. After two decades in service, she was decommissioned
Ship decommissioning
To decommission a ship is to terminate her career in service in the armed forces of her nation. A somber occasion, it has little of the elaborate ceremony of ship commissioning, but carries significant tradition....
in 1973, and in the same year the Peruvian Navy
Peruvian Navy
The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
bought the ship as a counter to the acquisition of the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
Gota Lejon
HMS Göta Lejon
HMS Göta Lejon was the name of the last Swedish cruiser. Together with her sister ship , they were the largest ships ever to serve in the Royal Swedish Navy. In 1971 the Göta Lejon was sold to Chile were she was renamed Almirante Latorre and served in the Chilean Navy until 1984....
by the Chilean Navy
Chilean Navy
-Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the...
. Renamed Almirante Grau, in honor of the Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Miguel Grau
Miguel Grau Seminario
Miguel María Grau Seminario was a renowned Peruvian naval officer and hero of the Naval Battle of Angamos during the War of the Pacific . He was known as the el Caballero de los Mares for his chivalry and is esteemed by both Peruvians and Chileans...
, she arrived to its new homeport of Callao
Callao
Callao is the largest and most important port in Peru. The city is coterminous with the Constitutional Province of Callao, the only province of the Callao Region. Callao is located west of Lima, the country's capital, and is part of the Lima Metropolitan Area, a large metropolis that holds almost...
on July 11, 1973. The Almirante Grau became fleet flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
replacing a former cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
of the same name (the ex-HMS Newfoundland
HMS Newfoundland (C59)
HMS Newfoundland was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. Named after Newfoundland, she fought in the Second World War and was later sold to the Peruvian Navy.-Early career:...
) which was renamed Capitán Quiñones
BAP Capitán Quiñones (CL-83)
BAP Capitán Quiñones ' was a Crown Colony class cruiser in service with the Peruvian Navy. It was completed for the Royal Navy in 1942 as HMS Newfoundland and, after being withdrawn from service, commissioned by the Marina de Guerra del Perú on December 30, 1959...
.
Modernization
From 1985 until 1988, she underwent a major modernization program by Amsterdam Naval Services (ANS) at its shipyard in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, period during which she was denominated Proyecto de Modernización 01 (Modernization Project 01) or PM-01. Her role as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
was assumed by her sistership Aguirre
BAP Aguirre (CH-84)
BAP Aguirre ' was a De Ruyter-class cruiser in service with the Peruvian Navy. It was completed for the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1953 as HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën. After two decades in service, it was decommissioned in August 1976 and sold to Peru...
as Almirante Grau. Both ships regained their former names when the ex-De Ruyter reached Callao
Callao
Callao is the largest and most important port in Peru. The city is coterminous with the Constitutional Province of Callao, the only province of the Callao Region. Callao is located west of Lima, the country's capital, and is part of the Lima Metropolitan Area, a large metropolis that holds almost...
on February 15, 1988.
The upgrade program carried out in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
included the following:
- Fitting of the Signaal SEWACO Foresee PE combat management system
- Fitting of a Signaal DA-08 surface-search radarRadarRadar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
- Fitting of a Signaal LW-08 air-search radarRadarRadar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
- Fitting of a DeccaDecca RadarThe Decca Company, a British gramophone manufacturer that, as Decca Records, released records under the Decca label, contributed to the British war effort during the Second World War...
1226 navigationNavigationNavigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
radarRadarRadar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio... - Fitting of a Signaal STIR-24 fire-control radarFire-control radarA fire-control radar is a radar which is designed specifically to provide information to a fire-control system in order to calculate a firing solution...
- Fitting of a Signaal WM-25 fire-control radarFire-control radarA fire-control radar is a radar which is designed specifically to provide information to a fire-control system in order to calculate a firing solution...
- Fitting of two Signaal LIROD-8 optronic directors
- Fitting of the Signaal Rapids ESM system
- Fitting of the CME Scimitar ECM system
- Fitting of two Matra DéfenseMatraMécanique Aviation Traction or Matra was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to automobile, bicycles, aeronautics and weaponry. In 1994, it became a subsidiary of the Lagardère Group and now operates under that name.Matra was owned by the Floirat family...
Dagaie decoy launchers - Fitting of one Matra DéfenseMatraMécanique Aviation Traction or Matra was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to automobile, bicycles, aeronautics and weaponry. In 1994, it became a subsidiary of the Lagardère Group and now operates under that name.Matra was owned by the Floirat family...
Sagaie decoy launcher - Fitting of a Link Y data linkData linkIn telecommunication a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving information. It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver and the interconnecting data telecommunication circuit...
- Removal of four twin Bofors 57/60 mm gun mountings
- Removal of the CWE-610 hullHull (watercraft)A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
sonarSonarSonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
Further work was carried out by SIMA dockyards in Callao
Callao
Callao is the largest and most important port in Peru. The city is coterminous with the Constitutional Province of Callao, the only province of the Callao Region. Callao is located west of Lima, the country's capital, and is part of the Lima Metropolitan Area, a large metropolis that holds almost...
as follows:
- Eight Otomat Mk 2 SSMsSurface-to-surface missileA surface-to-surface missile is a guided projectile launched from a hand-held, vehicle mounted, trailer mounted or fixed installation or from a ship. They are often powered by a rocket motor or sometimes fired by an explosive charge, since the launching platform is typically stationary or moving...
were fitted in 1993 - Two OTO MelaraOto MelaraOto Melara is an Italian defence company with factories in Brescia and La Spezia. It was founded in 1905 as a joint venture of Vickers and Terni. During World War I, Vickers Terni produced many weapons with calibre 40 mm and upwards. In 1929 the company was renamed Odero Terni Orlando with the...
Twin 40L70 DARDODARDODARDO is a Close-in weapon system built by the Italian companies Breda and Oto Melara. It is composed of two Breda-built Bofors 40 mm firing high explosive shells, a fire-control radar and a fire-control system...
compact gun mountings were fitted in 1996, replacing four single Bofors 40/70 mm gun mountings
Currently, the Almirante Grau is the last gun cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
(although it has the capabilities of firing Otomat guided missiles, plus its main armament) in service in any navy, and Peru is one of only three countries to operate cruisers today, along with the United States and Russia.
Sources
- Baker III, Arthur D., The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 2002-2003. Naval Institute Press, 2002.
- Rodríguez Asti, John, Cruceros. Buques de la Marina de Guerra del Perú desde 1884. Dirección de Intereses Marítimos, 2000.