The design of the PZM was developed by Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG, a German company to meet the
Chilean Navy's requirements under the Danubio IV project. The contract for
ASMAR to build the PZMs was signed on May 20, 2005, with
Northrop Grumman, Sisdef (a consortium of
BAE Systems and shipbuilder ASMAR) and
Rohde & Schwarz participating as main subcontractors at a cost of US$54 million to be
commissioned by 2012. The vessels are operated by the Coast Guard Service of the Chilean Navy and they will conduct patrol missions in Chile's
exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The design of the
Proyecto Patrulleros de Zona Marítima is being promoted by Chile as a common platform for South American navies through the
Proyecto Patrullero de Alta Mar Regional (or Regional Offshore Patrol Ship) committee.
Colombia Colombia ordered three vessels to be built at its
COTECMAR shipyard in
Cartagena, out of six planned until 2020. ==Ships in class==