This technologically advanced frigate has enhanced stealth features intended to deceive any opponent's radar and acoustic sensors. It also incorporates extensive Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) and decoy system suite, all of which enhance its survivability considerably. There is a Thales SMART-L radar for long-range aerial surveillance. It can detect and track ballistic missiles at a range of up to 480 km. At shorter ranges this radar can reportedly track stealth weapons. The SMART-L is capable of tracking 1 500 targets simultaneously and provides early warning. Mounted round the top of the superstructure are the four antennae of the Thales advanced phased-array air/surface radar. It provides 360° target detection, tracking and engagement. It can track 150+ surface targets to ranges of 32 km and 200+ aerial targets out to 150 km. This radar helps to guide missiles and artillery fire. Up to 32 missiles can be guided in flight simultaneously, including 16 missiles in terminal stage. Such capability is very important while defending against saturated missile attacks. Furthermore the APAR radar has a large Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) suite.
The primary surface-to-air missile armament is carried in the Mk.41 32-cell Vertical-Launch System (VLS) forward of the bridge. It carries a mix of Standard SM-2 IIIA missiles (range 150 km) as well as RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles (range 50 km) in designated cells. A total of 24 SM-2 and 32 ESSM missiles (4 per cell) are carrierd. Local defense against air attack is entrusted to two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers with RIM-116 short-range surface-to-air missiles. These have a range of 10 km and form the third layer of air defense for this frigate. In the unlikely occurrence that something passes through three of these layers of defense, two “last-ditch” Mauser MLG 27-mm autocannons are carried in remotely-controlled weapon stations. These are reasonably effective, since they have a high rate of fire—1 700 rounds per minute! In addition, the OTO Melera 76-mm dual-purpose gun is useful against aircraft and missiles. It is capable of throwing its 6-kilogram shells out to 20 km at around 100 rounds per minute. It has 85 rounds ready-to-fire.
The Patron class carries a typical surface-to-surface armament. Two four-cell Mk. 141 missile launchers for the RGM-84D Harpoon (range of 120 km or more) are located amidships. The Patron class frigates also carry M2HB heavy machine guns and MG3 general purpose machine guns. Furthermore, the two helicopters carried on vessels of this class can use heavy machine guns or Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, range of 25 kilometers. Anti-submarine capability is provided by two helicopters and two triple 324-mm mountings for EUROTORP MU90 lightweight torpedoes (20 km range). For submarine detection it has got an Atlas bow-mounted sonar, as well as towed array sonar. The Patron class can accommodate NFH 90 or Westland Sea Lunx Mk.88A helicopters. The helicopters can be equipped with sonar and torpedoes for the ASW role.
The Patron class uses a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system. It uses its two MTU V20 diesel engines, developing a combined output of 20 128 shp, for normal cruising and its single General Electric LM2500 gas turbine, developing 35 514 shp, for high-speed operations. Power is delivered to two shafts. This propulsion system is quite efficient, and the Patron class ships can go from standstill to max speed in only two minutes.