Originally to be 75 in number, a total of 55 FFG-7 OLIVER HAZARD PERRY-class ships were built, including 51 for the US Navy and four for the Royal Australian Navy. Australia subsequently built a further ship of this design at a very high cost. Spain also built to this design and a modified design was built in Taiwan (the Cheng Kung Class).
Of the 51 ships built for the US Navy, 28 are in active commissioned service and 2 are in the Naval Reserve Force (NRF). The "short-hull" Perry-class frigates were retired at an advanced rate, even though they had 20 years left on their life. The Navy had hoped to phase out construction of this class with the FY 83 ships, FFG 59 and 60, but Congress authorized (but did not fully fund) FFG 61 in FY 84.
The Navy's fleet of PERRY-class FFG 7 frigates will remain in the fleet well into the second decade of the 21st century. The most capable FFG-7s will be retained the longest. The FFG-7 force was transformed into an all SH-60 helicopter capable force by FY'03. The primary mission of the ships will remain antisubmarine warfare and escort.
Mahogany wood. Scale: 1/192. Length: 27 3/4 inches.
