Given by Mr. Peter Crichton as ALMIRANTE JOSÉ M GARCIA but all my sources give her as the ALMIRANTE GARCIA.
The stamp issued by the United Arab Emirates in 1997 for the International Defence Exhibition and Conference at Abu Dhabi in 1997 has one stamp which depicts three warships; two have been identified by Mr. Crichton as the ALMIRANTE GARCIA and the LEKIU (30). Only the submarine is still a UFO.
Built as missile frigate by the Naval Shipyard CN Riunite, Riva Trigoso, Italy (now known as Fincantiere Italiani) for the Venezuelan Navy.
She was the last of six frigates ordered by the Venezuelan Navy on 24 October 1975 by the Italian shipyard.
21 August 1979 laid down.
04 October 1980 launched under the name ALMIRANTE GARCIA (F-26) one of the six Mariscal Sucre Lupo class.
Displacement 2.213 standard, 2.525 tons full load. Dim. 113.2 x 11.3 x 7.9m. , draught 3.7m.
Powered CODOG: 2 General Electric-Fiat LM 2500 gas turbines, 50.000 shp, and two GMT diesels delivering 10.000 shp., twin shafts, speed 35 knots.
Range by a speed of 35 knots, 900 mile, by 16 knots, 5.500 mile.
Armament 8 Otomat MK 2 SSM; 1 8-round Albatros SAM systems (8 aspide missiles).
1 – 127mm. 54-cal. OTO Melara DP; 2 twin 40mm 70-cal. OTO Melara Dardo AA; 2 single 12.7mm. MG.; 2 triple 324mm MK 32 ASW TT (A-244S torpedoes);
1 AB-212 ASW helicopter.
Crew 180.
30 July 1982 commissioned.
Near sisters are in service with the Italian and Peruvian navies.
After delivery she and her sisters form the Frigate Squadron and are based at Puerto Cabello.
Over the years she took part in important international naval exercises.
ALMIRANTE GARCIA underwent a midlife modernisation in 2004, hull repairs were performed by Diques y Astilleros Nacionales (Dianca) at Puerto Cabello, and new systems were installed at the Contralmirante Agutin Armario Naval Base.
2008 Still in service.
United Arab Emirates 1997 350f sg555, scott?
Source: Combat Fleets of the World 2007. The Encyclopedia of Warships.