Wele Nzas (F073) is a Ukrainian-designed, Bulgarian-built multi-mission frigate of the Navy of Equatorial Guinea.^[1] The frigate serves as flagship of the navy and was commissioned in 2014.

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History
Equatorial Guinea
Name	Wele Nzas
Namesake	Wele-Nzas Province
Builder	MTG Dolphin Shipyard, Varna, Bulgaria Astilleros de Guinea Ecuatorial S.A., Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Laid down	21 May 2012
Launched	26 February 2013
Commissioned	3 June 2014
Identification	Pennant number: F073
Status	In active service
General characteristics
Type	Multi-mission frigate
Displacement	2,500 tonnes (2,500 long tons)
Length	107 m (351 ft 1 in)
Beam	14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Draft	3.7 m (12 ft)
Propulsion	4 × Caterpillar C280 diesel engines 2 × shafts
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range	5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi)
Sensors and processing systems	Positiv-U air/surface search radar Delta-M fire control radar w/ Cascade self-defense system ESM antenna SATCOM antenna 2 × navigation radars 2 opto-electronic FCS
Armament	2 × 76.2 mm AK-176 guns 2 × 30 mm AK-630M autocannons 2 × 140 mm MS-227 22-barreled rocket launchers
Aircraft carried	1 × helicopter
Aviation facilities	Flight deck

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Wele Nzas has a length of 107 m (351 ft 1 in), a beam of 14 m (45 ft 11 in) and draft of 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in).^[2] The frigate has estimated displacement of 2,500 tonnes (2,500 long tons) and is powered by four Caterpillar C280 diesel engines connected to two screws.^[3] She has a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) and range of 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi).^[2]

The ship is armed with two 76.2 mm AK-176 naval guns, each on fore and aft of the ship, two 30 mm AK-630M autocannons located in either side of the funnel, and two MS-227 140 mm 22-barreled rocket launchers in front of the bridge.^[3][4] In addition, the ship could be fitted with guided missiles on the midship.^[4]

Her sensors and electronic systems consisted of Positiv-U air/surface search radar with radome, Delta-M fire control radar integrated with Cascade self-defense system, two navigation radars, two opto-electronic target designation and fire control systems, satellite communication antenna and ESM antenna.^[3][4]

Wele Nzas also has a raised helicopter flight deck amidships and carries some boats launched by davits.^[2]

The ship was designed by Asaba Design Center in Mykolaiv, Ukraine.^[4] Her keel was laid on 21 May 2012 at MTG Dolphin Shipyard in Varna, Bulgaria.^[3][4] The ship was launched on 26 February 2013 as the salvage and rescue vessel Savior (IMO: 9664500) under Project SV 02. She was procured from Bulgaria using proxy entities in Panama and the Comoros.^[3] The ship was then fitted with weaponry in a 210 m (690 ft) navy-owned floating dock at Malabo harbor, Equatorial Guinea^[3] by the Astilleros de Guinea Ecuatorial S.A. (ASABA GE) with the help of Ukrainian technicians.^[4] Armament and combat systems used on the ship was probably sourced by Impulse 2, a Ukrainian company.^[3]

Wele Nzas was commissioned on 3 June 2014 in a ceremony at Malabo harbor by the President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The president declared the frigate as the flagship of Equatorial Guinenan Navy.^[2] The ship was named after the Province of Wele-Nzas.^[3] She served as deterrent against threats of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.^[5]