Updated West Florida with:
- Updated Seminole Class (GP & AAW) Frigate (modernizing components and altering certain issues)
The Seminole class frigate is a class of 5x ex-Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates handed over to the West Florida Navy. Due to budgeetary concerns, only 3x of the units regularly made to sea and the SM-1MRs of the other two ships were transferred to the active vessels. However, in the late 2000s with the rise in piracy in waters of the Gulf of Mexico the 3x vessels were upgraded with a pair of Bofors 40mm/L70 mounts on both sides of the ship to better ensure 360° anti-surface combat capabilities. In the late 2000s, the other 2x Seminole class were put into service with a modernization program at Ingalls Shipyard, causing the West Florida Navy to put designations for different vessels in the class. The original 3x were deemed the Seminole (GP) while the 2x upgraded were to be the Seminole (AAW). Although this designation caused mild controversy in the ranks of the naval branch as both systems have roughly the same count of anti-aircraft capabilities. The Seminole (GP) sees regular service in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea with a number of encounters with Cuban and Venezuelan frigates shadowing the type. The Seminole (GP) will be the first vessels replaced by the Victory class frigate with that expected to begin in 2024.
The Seminole (AAW) class frigate is a subclass of 2x ex-Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates handed over to the West Florida Navy. These 2 frigates were initially laid up in the 90s and part of the 2000s due to budget prioritizing the service of the 3x frigates already in service. in the mid-2000s however, Cuban aggression in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico proved ample reason for the West Floridian Navy to place the 2x ships into service. However, with their SM-1MRs taken to be used on the other three vessels, the WFN opted for an extensive upgrade with VLS to launch the RIM-162 ESSM via a Mk 41 system, a platform over the old Mark 13 missile launcher fitted with an autocannon for anti-surface combat, and finally armed with Harpoon AShM missiles for anti-shipping roles. Unlike her sisters, the two vessels were not upgraded with the Bofors 40mm/L70 mounts. The upgraded type was deemed the Seminole (AAW), although this designation caused mild controversy in the ranks of the naval branch as both systems have roughly the same count of anti-aircraft capabilities.