First Moroccan Navy Multimission Frigate Completes SAT

The Royal Moroccan Navy's first multimission frigate has successfully completed sea acceptance trials (SATs) at the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) yard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.

The 14-day sea trials were performed by representatives of the subcontractors, the Moroccan Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy.

During the SATs, sensor weapons, sea-keeping capabilities, the manoeuvrability of the ship and the communications suite of the frigate were extensively tested.

The SIGMA Class frigates are designed to perform traditional naval tasks and maritime security operations, as well as supporting humanitarian aid operations.

DSNS is building three such frigates for the navy, with the second frigate scheduled for sea trials at the end of 2011 and the third frigate to be launched in September this year.