BAP Chipana (SS-34) is one of two Type 209/1200 submarines ordered by the Peruvian Navy on March 21, 1977. She was built by the German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG at its shipyard in Kiel.

BAP Chipana (SS-34)
History
Peru
NameChipana
Laid down1 November 1978
Launched19 May 1981
Commissioned28 October 1982
HomeportCallao
MottoTemple y corazón
General characteristics
Displacement
  • 1,180 t surfaced
  • 1,285 t submerged
Length55.9 m
Beam6.4 m
Draft5.9 m
Propulsion
  • 4 MTU Type 12V493 AZ80 GA31L diesel engines
  • 1 Siemens electric motor
  • 1 shaft
  • 4,600 hp (3,400 kW)
Speed
  • 11 knots surfaced
  • 21 knots (39 km/h) submerged
Range11,300 nm surfaced at 4 knots (7.4 km/h)
Endurance40 days on patrol
Complement5 officers, 26 enlisted
Armament

History

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Origin

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She was originally named Blume after the 19th-century engineer Federico Blume, however on April 21, 1980, she was renamed after the battle of Chipana which took place between naval forces of Peru and Chile on April 12, 1879. Following sea trials in the North Sea, she arrived at her home port of Callao in 1983.

Modernization

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BAP Chipana (SS-34) undergoing upgrades

In 2018, the BAP Chipana began the process of being modernized by SIMA. The submarine was split in order to replace its mechanical and control equipment. Electrical, navigation and propulsion systems were also upgraded. The German marine company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems assisted Peru with the program, being awarded €40 million to help upgrade Peru's submarines.[1]

The other three submarines of the same class – BAP Angamos, BAP Antofagasta and BAP Pisagua – were also destined to be upgraded following the completion of work performed on the BAP Chipana.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Peruvian Navy begins Type 209/1200 submarine modernization". Naval Today. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.

Sources

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  • Baker III, Arthur D., The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 2002-2003. Naval Institute Press, 2002.
  • Ortiz Sotelo, Jorge, Apuntes para la historia de los submarinos peruanos. Biblioteca Nacional, 2001.