BAP Almirante Grau is the third out of four Carvajal-class frigates ordered by the Peruvian Navy in 1973 and originally named Montero. It was built by SIMA (Servicio Industrial de la Marina) at Callao under license from the Italian shipbuilder Cantieri Navali Riuniti. As such, it was the first modern warship built in Peru. In late 2007 its flight deck was extended to allow ASH-3D Sea King helicopters to land and refuel, although they cannot be housed in the ship's hangar.
On 26 September 2017 the ship was renamed BAP Almirante Grau on designation as the Peruvian fleet's flagship.[1]
As Montero, the ship was named after Rear Admiral Lizardo Montero Flores (1832–1905) who fought in the War of the Pacific, and now honours Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario (1834-1879), hero of the Naval Battle of Angamos.