NATO pennant numbers

[ABBAFAN]

I noticed that German frigate FGS Hessen and the Romanian frigate Regele Ferdinand both have the pennant number F221. Both Germany and Romania are nato members so I wondered why two ships were allowed to share a pennant number. Is this common?

[Aktungbby]

the Romanian frigate, Regele Ferdinand is actually the British built (Swan Hunter Ltd) vessel, HMS Coventry, built to replace its predecessor, sunk in the Falklands War by Argentine aircraft. The FGS Hessen is built in Germany. The number
is coincidental.

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by ABBAFAN

I noticed that German frigate FGS Hessen and the Romanian frigate Regele Ferdinand both have the pennant number F221. Both Germany and Romania are nato members so I wondered why two ships were allowed to share a pennant number. Is this common?

in addition to Aktungbby's response, keep in mind that every navy has it's own ship numbering method, despite being part of a larger multi-country alliance. for example, the Brits and the Americans have been allies for over a hundred years and they do not coordinate their ship numbers at all.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by KaleunMarco

for example, the Brits and the Americans have been allies for over a hundred years and they do not coordinate their ship numbers at all.

Particularly in the frigate department!

It wasn't until 1976 that the Constitution's commanding officer decided it would be a novel idea for the oldest active warship in the U.S. Navy to be able to give a salute from its era. Two of the 24-pound long guns were sent to the Naval Ordnance Station in Louisville, Ky. to be retrofitted to fire a saluting charge in time for the United States Bicentennial Celebration.

The Marines aren't the only ones who receive a salute from the USS Constitution. Past recipients include anyone from Chief Petty Officer selectees to Queen Elizabeth II. The day after the Queen received the salute, she boarded Constitution for a tour with Prince Philip. It was the only time a reigning British monarch ever stepped foot aboard the ship.

It seems we've been forgiven for the whole HMS Guerriere incident.

<@ Eichhörnchen: I should have posted this in the Queen's Jubilee Whack-a-Squirrel thread!

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

Particularly in the frigate department!

i always frigate about that!

[ABBAFAN]

Ah ok. I was under the impression all Nato ships were part of one numbering system rather than each navy having its own.

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by ABBAFAN

Ah ok. I was under the impression all Nato ships were part of one numbering system rather than each navy having its own.

the modern NATO ground forces try and use common weapons, ammo, etc whenever possible because it makes re-provisioning simpler.

for an example, look into the controversy of US re-gunning their M4 Sherman tanks with the 76 mm high velocity gun during 1944-45.

[Eichhörnchen]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

Particularly in the frigate department! <@ Eichhörnchen: I should have posted this in the Queen's Jubilee Whack-a-Squirrel thread!

Ahoy there, Mister Aktungbby! I just found a couple of photos taken in June 1982 when my old mum and I visited sister ship (?) the USS Constellation. On the back of one she scrawled "US frigate Constellation - US oldest warship - launched 1797". I don't know whether that's accurate or not. I'll post these alongside your thread since she shared her birthday with the old queen (April 20) - and they were both VIP visitors after all

[Kapitan]

Each country designates their own pennant numbers and also classify their own ships.

This is why the Halifax class is FFH, the Collins class SSG Until recently the Izumo DDH ect.

Numbers matter for nothing either its just a way to ID a ship.

But if you want something mind bending heres one for you:

USS Carr pennant 52 (FFG)
USS Barry pennant 52 (DDG)
USS Bunker Hill Pennant 52 (CG)

All of them sport the exact same number, and also all 3 were at one stage in commission at the same time, they are also not unique in that respects either