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The Animal-class, as the 1996 edition of Janes would term it, was constructed by Yarrow Shipbuilders from 1993 to 1997.
Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, and a rapidly aging fleet of Gearing-class destroyers, Tacoma-built PCGs, and PF-103s, Hassan IV, King of Saharaja, ordered five mediumweight, modern frigates in 1992. Based on Yarrow's F2000 design, the Animal-class made use of French armament--already in plentiful stock with the R.N.S. Intended to deter incursions, patrol in the Persian Gulf & Arabian Sea, and defend Saharaja's sprawling E.E.Z., the Animal-class is well armed, with slight variation among the ships.
Armament was as follows:
- (1x1) 100mm L/55 Compact, Mk. 2 - F101 would possess a second in the superfiring 'B' position.
- (2x1) Phalanx Block 0 - F101, F102 only. One mounted on F106
- (2x3) Mk. 32 SVTT - F103 through F106 only.
- (4x2) MM40 Exocet.
- (1x4) Tetral SAM mount - F102, F104, F105 only.
- (1x2) Simbal SAM mount - F103 only.
- (1x8) Crotale SAM system - F102 through F106 only.
- (2x1) GIAT 20mm.
- (2x1) AA52 12.7mm.
Modern sensors on the Animal-class greatly surpassed previous R.N.S. equipment. The lengthy reach of the D-band Jupiter (DRBV-26) early warning radar also allowed the Animal-class to act as radar pickets for older R.N.S. ships, able to detect aerial threats over 250km away. In addition, a TMS 4130 medium-frequency sonar was fitted on each ship, providing defensive anti-submarine capability All ships of this class would also be equipped with a Westland "Super Lynx". Additionally, F105 and F106 would feature the American AN/SLQ-32v(2) ECM system.