http://www.military-today.com/navy/joao_coutinho_class.htm
< Edited >
In 2015 the last two vessels of the class (the F471 Antonio Enes and the F476 Jacinto Candido) were decommissioned due to their weak configuration and old age. It is unlikely that Portugal will be able to export them to a foreign navy, assuming the Portuguese government is even willing to offer them at all. Most likely outcome for the entire Joao Coutinho class is to be broken-up for scrap in the near future.
< Edited >
| Name | | Laid down | | Launched | | Commissioned | | Status |
| Joao Coutinho (F475) | | 1968 | | 1970 | | 1971 | | decommissioned |
| Jacinto Candido (F476) | | 1968 | | 1969 | | 1970 | | decommissioned in 2015 |
| General Pereira D'Eca (F477) | | 1968 | | 1969 | | 1970 | | decommissioned |
| Antonio Enes (F471) | | 1968 | | 1969 | | 1970-1971 | | decommissioned in 2015 |
| Augusto de Castilho (F484) | | 1968 | | 1969 | | 1970 | | decommissioned in 2003 |
| Honório Barreto (F485) | | 1968 | | 1970-1971 | | 1970-1971 | | decommissioned in 2003 |
To correct some information from that site :
F475 João Coutinho 1970–2014 : retired Aug 31, 2014
F476 Jacinto Cândido 1970– In service
F477 General Pereira d'Eça 1970–2010 Sunk as artificial reef in Porto Santo, Madeira in 2014
F471 António Enes 1971– In service
F484 Augusto Castilho 1970–2003 Decommissioned; sold for scrap in 2011
F485 Honório Barreto 1971–2002 Decommissioned; sold for scrap in 2011
A few days ago (May 5), NRP Enes docked at Portimão (southern Portugal)
after escorting the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich along the souther coast of Portugal in the later's entry to the Mediterranean Sea.
Last April, NRP Jacinto Cândido (F476) was
deployed to Azores for a three-month regular patrol replacing another OPV of the Marinha Portuguesa.
The point of the speculation had been the news reports on having to retire all the remaining WWII ships (about 8-9) with nominal replacements of similar capabilities*. Adding fuel to such speculation was the
official visit from PN last year, emphasizing some cooperation and formalities; as well as this
Portuguese report regarding actual visit on some ships by PN.
as translated --
... One of the sources in the Diario de Noticias explains that there are "concrete manifestations of interest", the visits explain the willingness to buy one or more of the three ships that Portugal wants to dispose of.
* nominal replacement for 8-9 ships in a span of less than four years speculates 2nd hand sources, since budget and procedures makes it impossible to attain such with all new-builds.
