Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:18:41-1:22:00

Twenty modern SIGMA frigates arrive in 1939

Twenty modern SIGMA warships would bring powerful guns and missiles into a Second World War setting, but their usefulness depends on replacing ammunition and maintaining unfamiliar equipment.

Alternate HistoryExocet MissileFrigatesMistral MissileMU90 Impact TorpedoNaval LogisticsOTO Melara 76 mmSIGMA Frigates
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Question

How could twenty modern SIGMA-class light frigates be used if they appeared at the outbreak of the Second World War?

Short answer

They would be powerful small warships, especially against aircraft, while their ammunition, replacement barrels, missiles, and other modern supplies lasted.

Notes

The comparison uses a SIGMA variant of about 2,946 tons, with a stated top speed of 28 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles; a Colombian variant is credited with a longer range. The weapons discussed include an OTO Melara 76 mm gun, Mistral air-defence missiles, Exocet, and MU90 torpedoes. In a Second World War setting, the Mistral system's stated 8 km effective range would give these small ships an exceptional air-defence capability. Keeping the weapons supplied is the limiting condition. Replacement gun barrels and compatible ammunition would be needed, while modern guided ammunition would be unavailable unless it arrived with the ships. Missiles and other modern stores would be consumed quickly, especially because such powerful small ships would attract enemy attention.