Netherlands sells four frigates to Chile

THE HAGUE (AFP) Mar 25, 2004
The Netherlands is to sell four naval frigates to Chile for roughly 300 million euros (365 million dollars), a defence ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Dutch state secretary Cees van der Knaap will travel to Chile to sign the official agreement on Friday, Otte Beeksma of the defence ministry told AFP.

The four frigates were made redundant after cost-cutting measures in the Dutch navy. They will be sold for "around 300 million euros", according to the spokesman.

Two air defence ships will be delivered to Chile next year. Another two multi-purpose frigates are to be transferred in 2006.

WAR.WIRE