Almirante Brown-class

The Almirante Brown class, designated as the MEKO 360H2 type, consists of warships built for the Argentine Navy by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, Germany. The class was ordered in 1979, though the initial planned production of six vessels was reduced to four. Construction was delayed when British-built gas turbines were placed under embargo following the Falklands War. The vessels entered service between 1983 and 1984.

The design utilizes a modular system concept, allowing for the exchange of armaments and systems based on mission requirements and facilitating easier modernization or refitting. Each ship is configured to serve as a flagship and includes aviation facilities comprising a helicopter deck and hangar. While the class was originally intended to operate Westland Lynx or Agusta-Bell AB 212 helicopters, they currently deploy with AS 555 Fennec aircraft. Following refits in the 2000s, La Argentina and Sarandí were modified to accommodate SH-3D Sea King helicopters. The ships are propelled by a gas turbine system driving two shafts.

The class consists of Almirante Brown, La Argentina, Heroína, and Sarandí, forming the 2nd Destroyer Squadron based at Puerto Belgrano Naval Base. Almirante Brown participated in operations in the Persian Gulf during the 1990 Gulf War. Service history has been influenced by financial and import restrictions, leading to reports of engine problems and spare parts shortages. Heroína was decommissioned in 2024 following a period of inactivity. In 2020, the Argentine Navy was engaged in maintenance efforts to retain the operational status of the ship’s Exocet and Aspide missile systems.