Navy news from around the world, news & discussion

[Peter G]

The Sigma class SAM is Tetral, although the photos at the website are Sadral!:
http://www.mbda-systems.com/mbda/sit...EN&noeu_id=181

Sadral is more expensive as it has on mount fire control (Tetral would use the LIROD 76mm gun fire control) and heavier (1080 kg vice 600 kg - surprising how much this matters).

[Tango III]

Norway Notes Raised Russian Submarine, Air Activity


The second half of 2007 has seen an increase in submarine activity out of Russia’s Northern Fleet Base (NFB) in Murmansk, according to fresh “tracking” reports produced by the Norway Armed Forces’ Military Intelligence Unit (MIU) for the Ministry of Defense (MoD) The increase in submarine activity mirrors a rise in scheduled and unflagged exercises by Russian air Force in the North Atlantic and off Norway’s western coast, the report observes.
However, the report notes that Norway’s territorial waters and airspace have not been violated by the increase in Russia’s air and naval operations in the region. The report explained the increased activity as “Russia’s need to display its renewed military strength” to NATO.
“Norway is not overly alarmed over the higher number of aircraft and submarine operations,” said Espen Barth Eide, state secretary at the MoD. “Russia appears to be displaying both its intent and ability to be a superpower to be reckoned with.”
The rise in Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic reflects Russia’s response to U.S. plans to locate a rocket shield system on the European continent, said Eide.
“Russia is vigorously opposed to this plan, and the increase in naval submarine and air force activity can be seen as being a part of its official response. The increased activity isn’t directed at any one country, and certainly not at Norway,” Eide said.
The report’s findings are based on intelligence gathered by Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF)-operated Orion surveillance aircraft, and aircraft “tracking” data collected by the RNAF’s Northern Air Force base in Bodo.
The lack of anxiety evidenced in the MoD report is also reflected in relations between Russia and its western and southern neighbors, Finland and Estonia. A sign of growing crossborder cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic states took place in mid-November when Moscow agreed to form a joint committee to examine what measures could be deployed by Russia to avoid “accidental violations” of Finnish and Estonian airspace by Russian military aircraft.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=3214215&C=europe

[Tango III]

Iran Hails New Domestically Manufactured Submarine


Iran’s navy said on Nov. 28 it had launched a new home-produced submarine, the first in a class named Ghadir, Tehran’s latest claim of military progress at a time of mounting tensions with the West.

“This advanced submarine is equipped with the latest military and technological equipment,â€* navy chief Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayari was quoted as saying by state media.

“It was built after 10 years of design work. Its capabilities are equal to those of foreign types.â€* No further details were given.

State television pictures showed a submarine submerging and then resurfacing. It was not clear if the pictures were of Ghadir, which is named after a Muslim holiday.

In March 2006, the navy deployed a submarine named Narhang (Whale), but the pictures broadcast by state media at the time showed it was a minisub.
According to foreign military experts, Iran’s inventory of submarines patrolling Gulf waters already includes up to three Russian-built Kilo-class diesel submarines.

Iran has been extolling its military prowess amid increasing tensions over its nuclear program, which the U.S. charges is aimed at making a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists the drive is peaceful.

Iran said on Nov. 27 that it had built a new Ashura missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), sufficient to put Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East within easy reach.

The U.S. has never ruled out a military attack against Iran to punish its years of defiance in the nuclear crisis, even though Washington says it favors resolving the standoff through diplomacy.

The Islamic republic has said it will never initiate any attack but has also warned it will strike back with crushing force if the U.S. launches an assault.

But Sayari has said Tehran has no plans to block the Strait of Hormuz amid fears it could use the strategic oil passage as a weapon in its nuclear standoff with the West.

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publ..._Submarine.php

[danrh]

from defense-aerospace.com

New Launcher Completes Final Design Review


(Source: US Naval Air Systems Command; issued Nov. 28, 2007)



NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND --– Patuxent River, Md. - The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System recently held its final critical design review (CDR) at the prime contractor’s facility located in Rancho Bernardo, Calif.

The review team, led by Mr. Dave Cohen of NAVAIR’s Systems Engineering competency was presented a wealth of data by the EMALS prime contractor, General Atomics.

The team spent a week thoroughly reviewing the entire EMALS program and determined that the design is technically compliant with requirements and is properly documented.

Although a few open action items remain, Capt. Stephen Rorke, Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment program manager thought the review “was a rousing success” and praised the team for their “dedicated efforts to complete preparations for this review” even as the San Diego fires closed the General Atomics facility for a few days in the weeks just prior to the CDR.

Capt Rorke also thanked the team for open and honest dialog during the months leading up to the CDR as evidenced by the fact “the team knew about all open issues prior to the review and that no issues of major significance surfaced during the CDR.”

EMALS, a new electromagnetic aircraft launch system for the next-generation aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford class (CVN-78), will replace the current generation of steam catapults used on the Nimitz class aircraft carriers.

This switch to an electrical based system versus steam, will lower operating costs, require fewer people to operate, improve catapult performance and expand the range of manned and unmanned aircraft that the aircraft carrier can launch.

The next step in the process is to begin installing the full size, ship representative EMALS equipment in the recently completed EMALS test facilities at Naval Engineering Station Lakehurst, NJ.

The EMALS equipment installation is scheduled to begin in mid 2008, with actual testing to begin in early 2009. Testing will continue throughout 2009.

The first components of the EMALS equipment is scheduled to be delivered to Northrop-Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding, Norfolk, Va. to be installed in the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in 2011.

The Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to be delivered to the US Navy in 2015.

-ends-

[Tango III]

Marine Corps Jet Crashes; Pilot Safe


YUMA, Ariz. -- A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier attack jet crashed while on a routine training mission in southern Arizona, but the pilot ejected safely and was in good condition when he was brought to a Yuma hospital after the crash, officials said Wednesday.

Nothing on the ground was damaged when the single-seat jet crashed at 10 p.m. Tuesday. The aircraft wasn't carrying weapons. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

The crash occurred on the Barry M. Goldwater Range about 50 miles east of the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma where the aircraft was based. The range spans a remote desert area and is used primarily for pilot training.

Sgt. Robert Smith, a spokesman for the Yuma base, said he had no details on possible injuries suffered by the pilot and didn't know whether he had been released from the hospital.

The pilot, whose identity wasn't released, walked into the hospital unassisted. Pilots are typically examined by doctors after they eject from aircraft, Smith said.

The Yuma base, which is home to four Marine Harrier squadrons, is used by Marine aviators around the nation for training and is the world's busiest Marine Corps air station.

In August, two Marine Corps pilots, a crew chief and a Navy corpsman were killed in the crash of a military search-and-rescue helicopter about 20 miles north of Yuma. The helicopter was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma.

A Marine Corps Harrier jet crashed in 2005 into a Yuma neighborhood near the air base but the pilot had only minor injuries, and no one on the ground was hurt.

http://www.kpho.com/news/14715653/detail.html

[Tango III]

India plans to buy 6 new subs, says Navy chief

NEW DELHI: With both Pakistan and China progressively adding muscle to their underwater arms, India too has begun the hunt for six more submarines to add to the six being built at Mazagon Docks under the mammoth Rs 18,798-crore Scorpene project.

"We are now actively looking at the second line of submarines after the Scorpenes. I think the global tender for the six new submarines should be floated in the next financial year (2008-2009)," navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta told TOI. The contenders for the six new submarines could include the German HDW and Russian Amur submarines, with the French Scorpenes also being in the reckoning for a repeat order.

At present, India has just 16 conventional diesel-electric submarines — 10 Russian Kilo-class, four German HDW-class and two very-old Foxtrot-class vessels. The Scorpene project, under which the six submarines will roll out between 2012 and 2017, is crucial since naval projections show India will be left with only nine out of its 16 submarines by the middle of the next decade.

The long-term perspective programme is to acquire indigenous capability in design, development and construction of submarines, with a total of 24 submarines to be manufactured in a phased manner. But what about the fact that India neither has nuclear-powered submarines, nor SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) capabilities, at present? "We have come to the final threshold. I think within two years or so, we should have that kind of a capability," said Admiral Mehta.

Though the navy chief did not elaborate, India is on course to lease an Akula-II class nuclear-powered submarine from Russia from end-2008 onwards for 10 years, under a Rs 2,600-crore deal signed four years ago, as reported by TOI earlier.

Moreover, India is taking strides towards building its own nuclear submarines under the hush-hush Rs 14,000-crore ATV (advanced technology vessel) programme at Vishakapatnam. The first of the five long-delayed ATVs is scheduled to be fully-ready by 2010 or so. Indian defence scientists are also developing SLBMs and SLCMs (cruise missiles) under the equally-secretive 'Sagarika' project.

But it will take another three-four years for an integrated SLBM or SLCM capability to be ready. Asked about the modernisation of Chinese and Pakistan navies, Admiral Mehta said, "They have their national interests to protect, we have ours. Naval developments are not threat-specific, they are capability driven. We define our capabilities in tune with our national interests."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/2588616.cms

[Tango III]

Britain's Navy Would Struggle To Fight a Major War: Report


Britain’s Royal Navy would struggle to fight a major war because of years of under-funding and cut-backs, according to a defense ministry study leaked to the Sunday Telegraph.

The weekly newspaper said the report was ordered by Defence Secretary Des Browne to counter claims from opposition political parties and the media about a lack of resources in Britain’s military.

But the study concluded: “The current material state of the fleet is not good: the Royal Navy would be challenged to mount a medium-scale operation in accordance with current policy against a technologically capable adversary.â€*
A “medium-scale operationâ€* is similar to Britain’s naval involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the newspaper said.

The document comes at a time of concern about the capabilities of Britain’s armed forces due to a perceived lack of adequate funding for equipment and so-called “overstretchâ€* because of commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Five of the country’s former top military commanders last month criticized Prime Minister Gordon Brown for failing to fund adequately the armed forces during his 10 years as finance minister under Tony Blair.

The 14-page document, prepared by the assistant chief of the naval staff Rear Adm. Alan Massey, who commanded the aircraft carrier Ark Royal during the Iraq war, says the fleet is ageing and thinly-stretched.

Anti-submarine capability is below a “prudent minimum levelâ€*, the Royal Marines’ ability to conduct amphibious operations is being “erodedâ€* while too many ships are being put to sea with “operational defectsâ€*, it added.

The report said that numbers in the fleet had been significantly reduced in the last 20 years: for example, in 1987, 35 ships patrolled British waters, but only 10 do so in 2007.

On a positive note, the report welcomed Britain’s future aircraft carrier program as giving the country “considerable global political military leverageâ€* and said the navy’s modern ships are capable and cost-effective.

The Ministry of Defence said it did not comment on leaked documents.

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publ...t120014416.php

[Tango III]

Russian Frigates For India Delayed


December 3, 2007: Russian shipbuilders have told India that the three Talwar class frigates ordered last year will be delayed, and it's uncertain by how much. The ships are supposed to arrive in four years. India is paying $534 million for each of them. These are export versions of the Russian Krivak III class ships, which the Russian navy cannot afford to buy for itself. The first three Talwars entered service in 2003-4. There were some teething problems with these ships, the first of a new class. But the Indians were finally satisfied, when Russia made good all deficiencies, and India ordered three more. But there was one major shortcoming with the Talwars, the Indian supplied sonars are not working. That's another problem, however.


The Talwar's are 386 feet long, carry 24 anti-aircraft and eight anti-ship missiles, four torpedo tubes, as well as a 100mm gun, close in anti-missile guns, a helicopter, anti-submarine weapons (depth charges and missiles). The ship has a very complete set of electronics gear, except for the missing Indian sonar. There is a crew of 180.



Russia has missed deadlines with earlier warships ordered by India. Recently, Russia demanded an additional $1.2 billion (above the agreed on price) for an aircraft carrier refurbishing job. India believes the carrier project is not practical if it costs an extra $1.2 billion. The Russians say it was an incompetent shipyard manager who is at fault. The shipyard manager has been fired, and the Russians want the additional money before they will proceed.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htp.../20071203.aspx

[Tango III]

Gorshkov deal at sea

LIndian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Monday that the government should neither pay more money to the Russians for refurbishing aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, nor pull out of the deal. He said that the contact signed by Russia quotes a fixed price and it should be honoured.

Russia has asked for $1.2 billion over and above the contracted price of $1.5 billion, almost doubling the agreed cost.

"It is a fixed price contract and they should honour it,” Admiral Mehta said, while ruling out pulling out of the deal. "The ship is our property. We have paid them almost $500 million already. There is no question of pulling out,” he said.

Admiral Mehta said Russia’s attitude raised vital questions about India’s partnership with the Russians. “Where is our relationship with Russia going,” he asked, adding that India had signed the deal with Russia at a time when they were going through a crunch. “They said give us work. I would like to believe we helped them in their time of need.”

With the shipyard getting more work and the Russians striking it rich with oil prices rising, the Navy Chief accused them of going slow on the project. His tough talk on Russia comes ahead of the visit of a high-level Russian team for renegotiating the price. The issue had also figured during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin.

Under the Indo-Russian inter-governmental contract signed in 2004, Russia was to deliver the carrier by August 2008 for $1.5 billion. Apart from seeking a hike that violates the contract, Russia has indicated that the carrier cannot be delivered to India before 2012. The Naval Chief said India was trying to persuade the Russians to work faster on the project. "If they put enough people on the job, the naval carrier will be commissioned by late 2010 or early 2011,” he said.

Navy comes clean on N-sub

For years, the Navy denied the project even existed. But on Monday, Admiral Mehta said India’s nuclear submarine — the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) — would be commissioned into the fleet in two years time. “The project is somewhere near completion,” he said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storyp...adline=Admiral

[Scooter]

Gorshkov deal at sea

LIndian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Monday that the government should neither pay more money to the Russians for refurbishing aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, nor pull out of the deal. He said that the contact signed by Russia quotes a fixed price and it should be honoured.

Russia has asked for $1.2 billion over and above the contracted price of $1.5 billion, almost doubling the agreed cost.

"It is a fixed price contract and they should honour it,” Admiral Mehta said, while ruling out pulling out of the deal. "The ship is our property. We have paid them almost $500 million already. There is no question of pulling out,” he said.

Admiral Mehta said Russia’s attitude raised vital questions about India’s partnership with the Russians. “Where is our relationship with Russia going,” he asked, adding that India had signed the deal with Russia at a time when they were going through a crunch. “They said give us work. I would like to believe we helped them in their time of need.”

With the shipyard getting more work and the Russians striking it rich with oil prices rising, the Navy Chief accused them of going slow on the project. His tough talk on Russia comes ahead of the visit of a high-level Russian team for renegotiating the price. The issue had also figured during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin.

Under the Indo-Russian inter-governmental contract signed in 2004, Russia was to deliver the carrier by August 2008 for $1.5 billion. Apart from seeking a hike that violates the contract, Russia has indicated that the carrier cannot be delivered to India before 2012. The Naval Chief said India was trying to persuade the Russians to work faster on the project. "If they put enough people on the job, the naval carrier will be commissioned by late 2010 or early 2011,” he said.

Navy comes clean on N-sub

For years, the Navy denied the project even existed. But on Monday, Admiral Mehta said India’s nuclear submarine — the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) — would be commissioned into the fleet in two years time. “The project is somewhere near completion,” he said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storyp...adline=Admiral

Doesn't sound like the Russian will be winning the MMRCA Contract? That said, I believe the winner will be a naval type. With the Super Hornet as a likely winner or possibly the Rafale. Yet, my money is on the former! Personally, I think Russia is shooting themselve in the foot with this deal.......Man, look at the big picture!

[Ishikawa]

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/po...1521010-n1.htm

A new submarine of the JMSDF launched on 5th December.

[Scooter]

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/po...1521010-n1.htm

A new submarine of the JMSDF launched on 5th December.

I've heard Japanese SSK's are very capable submarines. I wonder how they compare to European and Russian Designs? Also, I understand Japan doesn't allow war materials to be exported. Does that cover selling the designs too? As they would be great additions to say Tawians Navy. Of course they would have to be contructed in the US or another third party.........

[swerve]

I've heard Japanese SSK's are very capable submarines. I wonder how they compare to European and Russian Designs? Also, I understand Japan doesn't allow war materials to be exported. Does that cover selling the designs too? As they would be great additions to say Tawians Navy. Of course they would have to be contructed in the US or another third party.........

Japan does permit weapons & dual-use items to be exported, in theory, though subject to severe restrictions, but in practice, permits are only ever granted for civil use, e.g. transport aircraft. There is, however, a category which has a general exemption, & one might be able to make creative use of it. Where a weapon system is being jointly developed by Japan and another country (until recently this applied only to the USA, but has now been broadened), information, components, & complete systems may move freely backwards & forwards between Japan & the development partner, covered by a general permit. Soooo - Japan develops a "new" submarine with the USA, but decides not to buy it, leaving the partner (the USA) free to build & export it - as long as it pays royalties. :diablo:

China would scream until it was blue in the face, though.

[Ishikawa]

Also, I understand Japan doesn't allow war materials to be exported. Does that cover selling the designs too? As they would be great additions to say Tawians Navy. Of course they would have to be contructed in the US or another third party.........

As for the Japanese policies about arms exports, please refer the following article elaborated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/disa...icy/index.html

Under these policies, the Japanese military technologies are treated in the same manner as the export of arms.

[Scooter]

As for the Japanese policies about arms exports, please refer the following article elaborated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/disa...icy/index.html

Under these policies, the Japanese military technologies are treated in the same manner as the export of arms.

If, PLAN continues its extensive Military build-up including Aircraft Carriers. The United States nor Japan may care what China likes........

[broncho]

I don't think they care currently either. Japan has a very good fleet and allowing USN to base a CVN points in that direction.

[Tango III]

Sir Galahad joins the Brazilian Navy



Brazil formally welcomed the former Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) landing ship Sir Galahad into her Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base yesterday, Tuesday 4 December 2007.

The Sir Galahad, which in 1988 replaced the ship of the same name lost in the Falklands War, was commissioned into the Brazilian Navy as the Garcia D'Avila - the name of a distinguished captain and Brazilian war hero who served from 1913 until 1945.

Sir Galahad (8,750 tonnes) and her five sister ships began entering service from the mid-1960s, but from 2001 were replaced by four much larger and more capable vessels of 16,000 tonnes - RFAs Largs Bay, Lyme Bay, Mounts Bay and Cardigan Bay - each of which are equipped with landing craft and can accommodate 356 troops and up to 150 trucks or 24 Challenger battle tanks.

The present Sir Galahad was built by Swan Hunter at Tyne and Wear and has served in both Iraq wars. She is unique in the RFA having won two Wilkinson Swords of Peace for humanitarian aid - to Angola in 1995 and Iraq in 2003.

In July last year she made her last journey under the RFA flag when she sailed from Marchwood port, the Armed Forces' Sea Mounting Centre on Southampton Water, to Portsmouth, where she has been refitted for Brazilian service.



http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...zilianNavy.htm

[Turbinia]

The second Galahad was a bit of a lemon, not the best advert for British ship building

[Tango III]

$270M for SSN 784 Propulsion Long-Lead Items

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT received a not-to-exceed $270 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-2101) for long lead time material associated with steam and electric plant, main propulsion unit, ship service turbine generator set components critical to maintaining the submarine component industrial base; and miscellaneous hull, mechanical and electrical system components in support of SSN 784, commencing in FY 2009. Note that SSN 784 will be the first Virginia Class Block III fast attack submarine with the new bow design.

The US Congress recently passed spending legislation that takes a step in the direction of speeding up Virginia Class submarine production from 1 boat per year to 2, by appropriating $588 millionto purchase an additional nuclear reactor and associated equipment as a long-lead item. As a gauge of production progress to date, the initial keel-laying for SSN 778 New Hampshire took place on April 30/07.

Work will be performed in Groton, CT /Quonset Point, RI (collectively, 5%); Newport News, VA (5%); Sunnyvale, Long Beach, & South El Monte, CA (collectively, 40%); Coatesville, York, & Cheswick, PA (collectively, 10%); Temple & Tucson, AZ (collectively, 5%), and various sites throughout the United States (35%), and is expected to be completed by July 2011. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington Navy Yard, DC issued the contract. See also GDEB release.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/

[Tango III]

Russian navy to start sorties in Mediterranean

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday it would start the first major navy sortie into the Mediterranean since Soviet times, the latest move by an increasingly assertive Moscow to demonstrate its military might.

The aim of the sorties is to ensure a naval presence in tactically important regions of the world ocean," Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told President Vladimir Putin, who wished the sailors well. The rest of the meeting was closed.

Serdyukov said 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier, would take part in the sortie and be backed up by 47 aircraft -- including strategic bombers.

Buoyed by huge oil revenues, Russia under Putin has been boosting military spending while at the same time using diplomacy to broaden Moscow's influence.

Earlier this year Putin announced that long-range strategic bombers would resume patrols around the world and Russia's long-range nuclear forces have test-fired new missiles.

But analysts say the navy, once the focus of national pride and symbol of the Soviet Union's military might, is still reeling from more than a decade of underfunding.

A series of accidents -- such as the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine in 2000 -- have hurt the Russian navy's reputation at home and abroad.

Serdyukov said the navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, and anti-submarine ships had set out for the Mediterranean on Wednesday from the Northern Fleet's base in Severomorsk, in the Arctic Circle.

Black Sea fleet ships and aircraft support would meet them in the Mediterranean. He said military exercises would be held during the sorties and that the group would visit six foreign states. He did not name them.

He also said Northern Fleet would make sorties into the northern Atlantic.

Russia has long been talking about reviving a permanent naval base in the Mediterranean. During the Cold War, the Soviet navy had a permanent presence on the Mediterranean, using the Syrian port of Tartus as a supply point.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071205/..._aB_5wji5vaA8F



And....

Russian Navy resumes constant presence in world's oceans


MOSCOW, December 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Navy has resumed its continual presence in different regions of the world's oceans, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told the president at a meeting in the Kremlin on Wednesday.

"There are plans to dispatch ships to the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea from now to February 3, 2008. The expedition is aimed at ensuring a naval presence and establishing conditions for secure Russian navigation," Serdyukov told Vladimir Putin.

The minister said an aircraft-carrying heavy cruiser, two anti-submarine ships and a tanker left for the Mediterranean on Wednesday, where they will be joined by a Black Sea Fleet missile cruiser and a tanker.

Serdyukov said a total of four warships and seven other vessels of Russia's Northern, Black Sea and Baltic fleets, as well as 47 planes and 10 helicopters, have been dispatched for the mission. Three exercises, involving the vessels and aircraft, are being planned.

In mid-August, Putin announced the resumption of strategic patrol flights, saying that although the country halted long-distance strategic flights to remote regions in 1992 with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ensuing economic and political chaos, other nations had continued the practice, compromising Russian national security.

Russia's strategic bombers have since carried out over 70 patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans, as well as the Black Sea, a senior Air Force official said on Tuesday, adding that NATO interceptor aircraft had escorted Russian bombers during almost all their patrols.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071205/91056421.html

[sealordlawrence]

I don't think they care currently either. Japan has a very good fleet and allowing USN to base a CVN points in that direction.

Japan was never not going to allow a CVN to be based in Japan, it does not signify anything. What does is the redeployment of other USN assets.

[Tango III]

UK MoD issues first request for new search and rescue helicopters

The UK Ministry of Defence has issued its first invitation to tender for a new fleet of search and rescue helicopters which are needed to meet military and coastguard requirements until potentially 2042. The private finance initiative deal has an estimated value of £3-5 billion ($6.1-10.3 billion), it says, but does not include funds for a previously proposed fleet of leased battlefield support helicopters.

Three bidders are contesting the SAR-H deal: the Lockheed Martin/VT Aerospace AirKnight and Serco-led UK Air Rescue consortia, and a team comprising CHC and Thales. AgustaWestland earlier this year withdrew from contention as a prime contractor, and is now offering aircraft to the bidding teams, facing competition from suppliers including EADS UK, which is promoting a range of Eurocopter products.

Bidding teams received the ITT in mid-November, and have until 30 January 2008 to provide initial responses to the requirement. The chosen team will be required to deliver 24h SAR coverage around the UK a capability currently provided using aircraft located at 12 bases.

AgustaWestland has meanwhile received a potentially £800 million contract to provide integrated operational support services for the UK's almost 100 Sea Kings, including SAR examples. Teamed with Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems, Serco, Thales UK and VT, the company will be responsible for delivering spares and technical support services and "depth" maintenance activities under the availability-based deal, which could run until the type leaves service in 2017.


http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...nd-rescue.html

[Tango III]

Sutherland set to become Navy's most powerful frigate

Defence Minister Baroness Taylor has today, 6 December 2007, announced a £35m major upgrade to Royal Navy frigate HMS Sutherland.

New equipment valued at £18m will be installed as part of a general overhaul of the ship under a £17m contract with Babcock Marine at their Rosyth dockyard in Scotland.

Baroness Taylor, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, said:

"HMS Sutherland is the first of our ships to get this new equipment making her the most powerful frigate in the fleet. With an improved air defence missile system, a new long-range main gun, and our latest and most sophisticated submarine-hunting sonar, she will be a force to be reckoned with, capable of dealing with current and future threats."




The Type 23 frigate is to get:

the Navy's latest and most sophisticated submarine hunting sonar system, capable of identifying submarines at an even greater range;
an advanced Sea Wolf air defence missile system, which will counter the advanced threat from missiles and fixed wing aircraft;
a new improved main gun, capable of firing long-range ammunition;
a reshaped stern to cut fuel use.
HMS Sutherland will be one of the first ships in the fleet to benefit from the £300m upgrade of the Sea Wolf Missile defence system by BAE Systems Insyte, greatly enhancing her anti-aircraft capabilities.

The frigate's new submarine-hunting capacity will come as part of a £166m sonar project run by Thales UK:

Sonar Type 2087 is an active low-frequency sonar in which a towed float is trailed from the frigate's quarterdeck, providing the 'ping' sound; a much used feature of many submarine-hunting films. When the sound wave hits a submarine, the return 'echo' is picked up by a towed array, also trailed from the quarterdeck on a cable up to 2km long. The results are then fed back to the ship sonar operators' screens.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...fulFrigate.htm

[Tango III]

US Navy Decommissions Final Four MHCs


USS Kingfisher (MHC 56), USS Cormorant (MHC 57), USS Blackhawk (MHC 58) and USS Shrike (MHC 62) were decommissioned Dec. 1, during a ceremony aboard Naval Station Ingleside, Texas.

"Just as a commissioning signals a bright future," said Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Carlson, commanding officer of MHC Crew Endurance embarked in Cormorant, "a decommissioning marks the end of an era."

The ceremony also marked the date the ships' names would be struck from the registry of active Navy ships. And, their ensigns would fly no more, stated Rear Adm. John Christenson, commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, Corpus Christi.

"This is why we gather together today," Christenson added, "to honor the coastal mine hunter and her crews, who have paved the way for the next generation of war fighters."

The Osprey-class ships are the world's largest glass reinforced plastic ships and the first U.S. Navy ships designed solely for minehunting, the technique of locating mines with sonar and neutralizing them with a remotely controlled underwater vehicle.

These ships' mission is to clear harbors, coastal and ocean waters of acoustic, magnetic, pressure, and contact type mines, using reconnaissance, classification and neutralization tactics. The ships' design integrates mine countermeasures technology into a uniquely designed platform with exceptionally low magnetic and acoustic signatures to protect again mine detonations during minehunting operations.

These are the final four of the 12 Osprey-class ships to be decommissioned.

Following the ceremonies, these vessels will complete decommissioning maintenance availabilities, and then be towed to Beaumont, Texas.


http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publ...s120014502.php

[Tango III]

United Arab Emirates - Upgrades/Refurbishment of E-2C Aircraft

WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of upgrades and refurbishments of E-2C aircraft as well as associated equipment and services.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $437 million.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of upgrades and refurbishment for three (3) used, excess defense articles (EDA) E-2C Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft with radar and antennae.

These upgrades/refurbishments include E-2C Group II Navigation Upgrade configuration, eight T56-A-427 Turbo Shaft engines, Phased Maintenance Inspection, spare and repairs parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, technical data and publications, tactical software and software laboratory, system software development and installation, testing of new system modifications, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related support elements. The estimated cost is $437 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country, which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates needs the E-2C aircraft to develop an effective air defense network for its naval forces and to provide an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) surveillance and enhanced command, control, and communications capability.

The proposed sale of the upgrades and refurbishments will strengthen the effectiveness and interoperability of a potential coalition partner, reduce the dependence on U.S. forces in the region and enhance any coalition operations the U.S. may undertake. The United Arab Emirates will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces. The proposed sale of these weapon systems will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Northrop Grumman Aircraft Corporation of Bethpage, New York. The purchaser requested offsets; however, at this time, agreements are undetermined but will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government and contractor representatives to the United Arab Emirates.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi...&modele=jdc_34

[Tango III]

Related News:


First Improved Oyashio-class boat takes to the water

The first of three improved Oyashio-class attack submarines on order for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) was launched at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe shipyard on 5 December.

At 84 m long and 4,200-tons submerged, Soryu is significantly larger than the original 11 Oyashio-class boats (81 m and 3,500 tons) in order to incorporate a Kockums Stirling air independent propulsion (AIP) system.

Components for the AIP, which will enhance the vessel's stealth and special operations capability, were supplied by the Swedish company for assembly in Japan.

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/na...1206_1_n.shtml

[Ishikawa]

Some new large photos of Soryu.
http://sugar310.dip.jp/cgi/upload/source/up9078.jpg
http://sugar310.dip.jp/cgi/upload/source/up9076.jpg
http://sugar310.dip.jp/cgi/upload/source/up9077.jpg

[harryRIEDL]

The French Aéronavale will embark for the first time on an American aircraft carrier. Without a second aircraft carrier, while Charles stopped for maintenance for eighteen months, pilots of Rafale and Hawkeye are going to train in July 2008 aboard the USS Roosevelt off Norfolk, in the Atlantic. "We are setting up this operation with the American Navy" said the French Navy Office. A dozen airplanes are to be deployed on Roosevelt: six to eight Rafales of the flotilla 12 F and two Hawkeyes of the flotilla 4F.

For the Navy, it is a simple "technical exchanges". So far, FN aircraft could not land on Americans carriers. But since last July, as we announced then on this blog (see photo), the Rafale F2 have the capacity to do so after validating their alignment system. There are very few technical obstacles, since Charles is equipped with catapults and arresting wires made in the United States. Since the nineties, French navy pilots are trained in the United States, in the absence of trainer aircraft for learning carrier landing techniques.

The newsletter TTU, which reveals information this week, sees in this case "evidence of warming in Franco-American relations and the willingness of President Nicolas Sarkozy to ensure that France regains its place in the "Otan". TTU said that this "initiative is strongly encouraged by Craig Stapleton, the United States Ambassador to France." Boarding a dozen planes french aboard an American is indeed never seen before!

This operation will backfire against the interests of the French Navy. It gives arguments to the opponents of the construction of a second aircraft carrier (PA2), many in the upper héirarchy of the military. If the French can operate their Flotillas from the large American carriers in the event of an international crisis and non-availability of Charles, France can possibly save three billion euros, the cost of PA2. As for national independence ...
http://secretdefense.blogs.liberatio...ilotes-de.html

if true isn't going to be interesting example of cooperation

[Stonewall]

Successful Firing of Oerlikon Millennium During Trials of the Royal Danish Navy's First Absalon-Class Flexible Combat Support Ship, HDMS Absalon


(Source: Rheinmetall Defence; issued Dec. 6, 2007)



Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm naval gun systems successfully engaged surface and air targets during live-fire trials aboard HDMS Absalon, the Royal Danish Navy's first Absalon-class flexible combat support ship. The trials took place during the first and third weeks of November.

The test firings formed part of sea trials and Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) off the Danish coast. Practice ammunition and Oerlikon Ahead ammunition – like the guns, both made by Rheinmetall subsidiary Oerlikon Contraves – were used to engage both air and surface targets. Danish personnel operated the guns, having already received operation and maintenance training during summer 2007. According to DALO (Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization), the firings with the two Oerlikon Millennium guns were successful and its SAT was completed during the third November week.

The HDMS Absalon is equipped with two Millennium guns, one forward and one aft. The Royal Danish Navy is the launch customer for series production of the Oerlikon Millennium naval gun system, having ordered six guns in 2004 with an option for a further four. Production for further customers is also underway. Absalon-class final SAT for the Millennium guns and the 127 mm gun is planned for week 13 or 14 in 2008.

The Royal Danish Navy decided to equip its Absalon-class ships and patrol vessels with Millennium because of Oerlikon's state-of-the-art Ahead ammunition and revolver gun technology, both of which assure an outstanding multi-mission capability. The Oerlikon Ahead principle – a proprietary development of Oerlikon Contraves – significantly increases the probability of hits, aided by a high rate of fire. The Millennium can fire 1,000 rounds per minute, with each round containing 152 tungsten sub-projectiles. This advanced ammunition, combined with sustained firepower and high precision, enables numerous engagements at extended ranges before reloading.

Taken together, these make Oerlikon Millennium ideal for the following roles:

-- air defence against missiles at distances three to four times greater than conventional close-in weapon systems (CIWS);
-- anti-surface warfare, fulfilling US Navy requirements against Fast Incoming Attack Crafts (FIAC) threats;
-- naval gunfire support: the effect of Oerlikon Ahead ammunition on infantry and lightly armoured targets enable highly effective suppression of enemy fire during operations to extract friendly personnel.

-ends-

www.defense-aerospace.com

[Scooter]

The French Aéronavale will embark for the first time on an American aircraft carrier. Without a second aircraft carrier, while Charles stopped for maintenance for eighteen months, pilots of Rafale and Hawkeye are going to train in July 2008 aboard the USS Roosevelt off Norfolk, in the Atlantic. "We are setting up this operation with the American Navy" said the French Navy Office. A dozen airplanes are to be deployed on Roosevelt: six to eight Rafales of the flotilla 12 F and two Hawkeyes of the flotilla 4F.

For the Navy, it is a simple "technical exchanges". So far, FN aircraft could not land on Americans carriers. But since last July, as we announced then on this blog (see photo), the Rafale F2 have the capacity to do so after validating their alignment system. There are very few technical obstacles, since Charles is equipped with catapults and arresting wires made in the United States. Since the nineties, French navy pilots are trained in the United States, in the absence of trainer aircraft for learning carrier landing techniques.

The newsletter TTU, which reveals information this week, sees in this case "evidence of warming in Franco-American relations and the willingness of President Nicolas Sarkozy to ensure that France regains its place in the "Otan". TTU said that this "initiative is strongly encouraged by Craig Stapleton, the United States Ambassador to France." Boarding a dozen planes french aboard an American is indeed never seen before!

This operation will backfire against the interests of the French Navy. It gives arguments to the opponents of the construction of a second aircraft carrier (PA2), many in the upper héirarchy of the military. If the French can operate their Flotillas from the large American carriers in the event of an international crisis and non-availability of Charles, France can possibly save three billion euros, the cost of PA2. As for national independence ...
http://secretdefense.blogs.liberatio...ilotes-de.html

if true isn't going to be interesting example of cooperation

Funny, I suggested the same thing a few months back. Yet, some on this forum said it wouldn't happen.........not practical? Personally, I can't wait to see some Pic's. To bad the RN isn't getting F-35C's and Hawkeye's or this could be a more regular event between Allied Carriers.