PR 72-class

The PR-72P class is a series of six French-designed guided-missile corvettes in service with the Peruvian Navy. Ordered by the Peruvian Navy in 1976 from the Société Française de Construction Navale (SFCN), three vessels—Velarde (CM-21), Santillana (CM-22), and De los Heros (CM-23)—were constructed at the SFCN Villeneuve-la-Garenne shipyard. The remaining three units—Herrera (CM-24), Larrea (CM-25), and Sánchez Carrión (CM-26)—were subcontracted to the Lorient Naval Dockyard. Originally assigned hull numbers P-101 to P-106, the class pennants were later modified to CM-21 through CM-26, designating them as corbetas misileras.

For combat systems, the PR-72P class is equipped with four Exocet MM-38 surface-to-surface missiles, one OTO Melara 76/62mm Compact gun, one OTO Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO compact gun, and one MGP-86 mount for Igla surface-to-air missiles. Sensor systems integrated onto the vessels include the Thomson-CSF THD 1040 Triton air and surface search radar, a Decca BridgeMaster E navigation radar, the Thomson-CSF Vega II fire-control system, a Thomson-CSF Castor II fire-control radar, and a CSEE Panda optical director. Electronic warfare capability is provided by a Thomson-CSF DR-2000 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system.

The propulsion systems differ across the class. Three of the corvettes, CM-21, CM-23, and CM-25, utilize four SACM AGO 240V16 M7 diesel engines driving four shafts. Under a 1998 contract signed between the Peruvian Navy and MTU to re-engine three of the corvettes, CM-22, CM-24, and CM-26 were refitted with four MTU 12V595 diesel engines driving four shafts. The remaining units were planned for similar engine modifications.

The PR-72P class entered service between 1980 and 1981. Velarde and Santillana were commissioned on July 25, 1980, followed by De los Heros on November 17, 1980. Herrera entered service on February 10, 1981, Larrea on June 16, 1981, and Sánchez Carrión on September 14, 1981. All six Peruvian PR-72P corvettes remain in active service, alongside two Moroccan PR-72 units of the Okba class. Operations have included international deployments, such as the participation of Herrera in the PANAMAX 2006 exercises.