Seaforth World Naval Review 2012

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CONTENTS Section 1: Overview 1.0 Introduction

6

Section 2: World Fleet Reviews 2-1 Regional Review – North and South America

12

2-1A Fleet Review – Chile: Reaping the Benefits of the Copper Law

27

Juan C Arancibia describes how the global boom in copper prices has financed Chile’s fleet renewal.

2-2 Regional Review – Asia and The Pacific

36

2-2A Fleet Review – Australia: The Royal Australian Navy in Transition

48

Ross Gillett paints an optimistic view of the Royal Australian Navy’s future prospects.

2-3 Regional Review – The Indian Ocean and Africa

60

2-3A Fleet Review – Pakistan: Multiplying Limited Resources

68

Mrityunjoy Mazumdar explains the Pakistan Navy’s use of force multipliers to maximise limited means.

2.4 Regional Review – Europe and Russia

78

2.4A Fleet Review – United Kingdom: Defence Review Reshapes the Royal Navy

97

Richard Beedall highlights the 2010 Strategic Defence & Security Review’s impact on the Royal Navy.

Section 3: Significant Ships 3.1 British-Built Offshore Patrol Vessels: Balancing Cost and Capability

108

The editor considers the design and support factors inherent in producing an affordable OPV. 3.2 USS Makin Island (LHD-8): It’s What’s Inside that Counts

128

Edward Feege and Scott Truver assess the hidden improvements to the last of the Wasp (LHD-1) class.

3.3 Sweden’s Visby Class Corvettes: Stealth at All Levels

148

Guy Toremans reviews Sweden’s stealth corvettes as they prepare for their operational debut.

Note on Tables: Tables are provided to give a broad indication of fleet sizes and other key information but should be regarded only as a general guide. For example, many published sources differ significantly on the principal particulars of ships, whilst even governmental information can be subject to contradiction. In general terms, the data contained in these tables is based on official information updated as of June 2011, supplemented by reference to a wide range of secondary and corporate sources, such as shipbuilder websites.

Section 4: Technological Reviews 4.1 Developments in Modern Sonar

166

Norman Friedman details how sonar technology has developed from the Cold War onwards.

4.2 World Naval Aviation

175

David Hobbs provides a wide–ranging overview of recent developments in maritime air power.

Contributors Index

189 190

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WORLD NAVAL REVIEW

The German Type 702 Berlin class fleet replenishment ship is one of two designs being considered for the Canadian Navy’s long-delayed joint support ship project. This view shows the Frankfurt am Main operating alongside the airdefence frigate Hessen in March 2007. (German Navy)

MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN NAVIES – CANADA The Canadian Forces Maritime Command’s current major fleet units are set out in Table 2.1.2. Longdelayed modernisation plans currently await realisation of the new National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy that was announced on 3 June 2010. The strategy envisages construction of major vessels – those displacing more than 1,000 tons – being channelled to two Canadian shipyards. One of these will build combat ships and the other non-combatants.

Five yards were short-listed for selection in October 2010 and a final decision is expected in mid-2011.

Once a conclusion has been reached, the way will be clear to move forward with a number of new construction programmes. The most significant of these are: Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels: This project envisages the construction of between six and eight icecapable patrol vessels at a cost of C$3.1bn (US$3.2bn). The new ships are intended to strengthen Canada’s ability to police its northern

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NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA 15

Table 2.1.2: CANADIAN NAVY: PRINCIPAL UNITS AS AT MID-2011 TYPE

CLASS

Principal Surface Escorts Destroyer – DDG Frigate – FFG

IROQUOIS HALIFAX

Submarines Submarine – SSK

VICTORIA (UPHOLDER)

waters. Technical specifications drafted by BMT Fleet Technology suggest an essentially constabulary design for service in a non-military threat environment. Accordingly, main armament will be limited to a 25mm gun, although capability to operate helicopters up to the size of a CH-148 Cyclone is also specified. Maximum speed will be at least 17 knots, endurance is a minimum 6,800 nautical miles (12,594km) whilst core crew numbers are set at a

NUMBER

TONNAGE

DIMENSIONS

PROPULSION

3 12

5,100 tons 4,800 tons

130m x 15m x 5m 134m x 16m x 5m

COGOG, 29 knots CODOG, 29 knots

4

2,500 tons

70m x 8m x 6m

Diesel-electric, 20+ knots

maximum forty-five personnel. The current procurement schedule anticipates contract award during 2012.

Joint Support Ships: Plans for the C$2.6bn (US$2.7bn) acquisition of at least two JSS joint support ships were confirmed on 14 July 2010. This followed postponement of the previous three-ship plan in August 2008 after the short-listed contractors

Below: The Canadian Navy’s Halifax class frigates Charlottetown and Montreal operating in company on 8 November 2010.

The twelve-strong class has recently commenced a rolling mid-life upgrade programme. (Canadian Navy)

CREW

DATE

280 225

1972 1992

50

1990

were unable to meet the planned specification within budget. The revised programme appears to downgrade the previous design requirement that envisaged combining replenishment, sealift and logistical support capabilities in a c. 28,000-ton, 200m hull.

The new specification will be more focused towards the replenishment role. Designs adapted from Germany’s Type 702 Berlin class and Spain’s new Cantabria are being considered alongside an inhouse design drawn up with the help of BMT Fleet Technology. A contract for the selected ships should be signed before the end of 2013.

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2.2

REGIONAL REVIEW

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC INTRODUCTION 2011 has seen renewed focus on the ongoing buildup of Chinese naval capabilities after the brief interlude during 2010 when tensions on and around the Korean peninsula, most notably the sinking of the South Korean corvette Cheonan, were foremost in the news. Press attention has inevitably been heavily skewed by the obvious progress achieved with the refurbishment of the former Soviet Project 1143.5/6 Kuznetsov-type carrier Varyag at Dalian in northern China. By early 2011, the installation of electronic equipment and close-in weapons systems was quite far advanced and initial quay-side testing of generation plant was also evident. As such, it seems probable that preliminary sea trials will be underway within the next twelve months. Considerable effort is also being made to establish the extensive infrastructure required to support carrier operations.

Additionally, an indigenous carrier-based fighter in the form of the Shenyang J-15 is in development. On 7 June 2011, General Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army, became the most senior Chinese official to date to confirm the obvious when he was quoted in the Hong Kong Commercial Daily newspaper as saying that reconstruction work on the carrier was underway.

The development of an effective carrier force and associated ‘blue water’ power projection capabilities is certainly a logical objective given China’s reliance on extended – and potentially vulnerable – sea lines of communication for the raw materials upon which her industrial economy depends. It fits closely with some other recent Chinese maritime developments.

These include the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) involvement in anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, as well as its reported ambitions to obtain basing rights at the Pakistan port of Gwadar. At the same time, it seems probable that the Western media’s fascination with the PLAN’s development as a symbol of China’s emergent ‘superpower’ status overlooks the more immediate aim of Chinese naval expansion, namely the ability to control the country’s littoral waters of the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In a recent well-reasoned article in Jane’s Defence Weekly, analyst Trefor Moss argues that the development of comprehensive anti-access/area denial capabilities is currently the PLAN’s paramount objective.1 This is evidenced by the channelling of the vast bulk of the country’s naval investment into the platforms – patrol submarines, fast attack craft and anti-surface oriented escorts – and equipment – sophisticated mines, anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles – required for this task. Certainly, it is China’s increasing ability to dominate the waters around a number of disputed island and islets in this littoral zone that is of most cause for concern to neighbouring Asian countries.

The PLAN’s increased capabilities are inevitably drawing a response across the region. For example, the new Japanese Mid-Term Defence Programme for 2011–15 approved on 17 December 2010 envisages a significant increase in operational submarine forces to supplement recent investment in light aircraft carriers (nominally ‘helicopter-carrying destroyers’) and theatre ballistic missile defence (TBMD)

Author: Conrad Waters

capable, Aegis-equipped destroyers. The regionallydeployed escort flotillas will also be re-organised to allow for more flexible and mobile operations. The focus on deploying underwater forces noted in last year’s Seaforth World Naval Review has also continued elsewhere. For example, Thailand has confirmed it is in discussions to purchase some of the former German Type 206A submarines decommissioned in 2010. Even the cash-strapped Philippine Navy is looking at the feasibility of deploying underwater forces by 2020. However, the acquisition of additional Hamilton (WHEC-715) class cutters from the US Coast Guard looks a more realistic aim in the immediate term.

The response to China’s emerging naval influence is inevitably tinged with ambivalence. Many of the countries that most fear the possible consequences of their neighbour’s increasing military capabilities also look to China as an important trading partner. This inherent contradiction poses significant challenges to the United States, which remains the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific area and faces a difficult balancing act. Whilst the emerging ‘Air-Sea Battle’ concept referenced elsewhere is seen as the ultimate strategic counterweight to growing Chinese antiaccess capabilities, enhanced day-to-day engagement with navies in the region is also being pursued as an important stabilising initiative. Measures to enhance the local US footprint, for example through the mooted forward deployment of Littoral Combat Ships to Singapore, can be seen in this light.

Table 2.2.1 provides a summary of the more significant regional fleets as of mid-2011.

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ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 37

The new Japanese ‘helicopter-carrying destroyer’ Ise (DDH-182) pictured shortly after her commissioning in March 2011.

Although China’s reconstruction of the former Soviet carrier Varyag has been the focal point of media attention, other Asian fleets are also boosting their capabilities and response. (JMSDF)

Table 2.2.1: FLEET STRENGTHS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC – LARGER NAVIES (MID-2011) COUNTRY Support/Helicopter Carrier (CVS/CVH) Strategic Missile Submarine (SSBN) Attack Submarine (SSN) Patrol Submarine (SSK/SS) Fleet Escort (DDG/FFG) Patrol Escort/Corvette (FFG/FSG/FS) Missile Armed Attack Craft (PGG/PTG) Mine Countermeasures Vessel (MCMV) Major Amphibious Units (LHD/LPD/LSD)

AUSTRALIA – – – 6 12 – – 6 –

CHINA – 3 5 55 50 45 75 20 2

INDONESIA – – – 2 6 24 7 12 5

JAPAN 2 – – 16 40 6 6 30 3

S KOREA – – – 12 20 23 5 9 1

SINGAPORE – – – 4 6 6 – 4 4

Note: Chinese numbers approximate; Taiwanese fast attack craft numbers are fluctuating as new KH-6 class replaces many of the existing ‘Hai Ou’ type.

TAIWAN – – – 4 26 – c.50 8 1

THAILAND 1 – – – 8 11 6 6 –

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104 WORLD NAVAL REVIEW response times of an aircraft. Reliance on the USA and other NATO allies is also sometimes undesirable, e.g. in relation to safeguarding the transit of Vanguard ballistic submarines. The eventual purchase of a few Boeing P-3A Poseidon patrol aircraft seems possible and the RN is advocating that these should be operated by the FAA. Finally, the RN is rather belatedly looking at the possibilities offered by unmanned air vehicles (UAV).

Huge strides have been made in this area over the last decade, and the options are extensive, including: ■ Long-range maritime surveillance from land bases.

■ Attacking well-defended targets using stealthy UAVs launched from aircraft carriers.

■ Rapid-reaction maritime search-and-destroy missions launched from escorts and minor warships, including the Type 26 frigate.

FUTURE WARSHIP PROGRAMMES 1. CARRIER STRIKE AND THE QUEEN ELIZABETH CLASS:

Construction of the first Queen Elizabeth class carrier is progressing rapidly, as pictured in these February 2011 images of lower hull ‘rings’ being assembled at Govan on the Clyde and at Portsmouth. (BAE Systems)

Since SDR in 1998, a centrepiece of RN planning has been ‘carrier strike’ – the deployment of offensive air power from aircraft carriers in support of UK military operations around the world. Whilst the RN now lacks a carrier strike capability, in 2008 two new aircraft carriers were ordered at an expected cost that had reached £5.9bn (c. US$9.5bn) by January 2010.

These ships, Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales (likely to be renamed Ark Royal), will be the largest warships ever operated by the Royal Navy. First steel was cut for Queen Elizabeth at the BAE Systems Govan shipyard in July 2009 and for Prince of Wales in May 2011. The ships are being built in blocks weighing up to 11,500 tons by shipyards around the UK. When completed, these are being transported to Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard for the final assembly and fitting out of the ships.

SDSR re-examined the carrier strike concept and concluded that that there was a requirement for a future capability, but the cost of the Queen Elizabeth class and associated programmes was deemed to be ‘crowding out’ other important investments. It decided that only one new aircraft carrier was needed and that the UK would work with France to minimise the risks this caused. The Anglo-French Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty signed in November 2010 states: ‘Building primarily on initial maritime task group co-operation around the French carrier, Charles de Gaulle, the UK and France will aim to have

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ROYAL NAVY 105 the ability, by the early 2020s, to deploy a UK-French integrated carrier strike group incorporating assets from both countries. There will be co-ordination of aircraft carriers to ensure that there is always a British or French vessel available for joint operations.’

During the SDSR process the government considered cancelling one of the new carriers. However, the contracts with the BAE Systems and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance were found to be so tightly written that it would cost more to cancel than build. SDSR thus confirms that both carriers will be completed but that one will be held in reserve and could be made available for sale; potential buyers include India, Brazil and France.

The Queen Elizabeth class was designed to operate the F-35B STOVL variant of the JSF. However, SDSR decided that the F-35C variant would be purchased instead and this uses the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take Off But Arrested Recovery) system for launch and recovery.3 The Aircraft Carrier Alliance is currently studying the changes that will need to be made to the carriers to operate in this revised configuration, as well as the cost associated with these: expected to be £600m–£800m (US$950m–US$1300m) per ship. The MOD will make a decision in late 2012 as to whether one or both carriers will be converted to a ‘cat and trap’ configuration and, if only one, which one. It is likely but not certain that the MOD will decide to adopt the least-costly option of converting just Prince of Wales, whose construction is the least advanced.4 On that basis, Queen Elizabeth will probably be completed in 2016, entering service as a helicopter carrier and LPH the following year. Her air group will include up to twelve Chinook or Merlin transports plus additional Apache attack helicopters. She will be able to support a range of operations such as landing a Royal Marines Commando Group or a Special Forces Squadron conducting a counterterrorism strike, and assist with humanitarian crises or the evacuation of UK nationals.

Prince of Wales will then complete in 2019 and Queen Elizabeth will go in to extended readiness. if she has not been sold. Prince of Wales will enter service as a strike carrier the next year, although, in practice, it will take far longer for the RN to fully regain its atrophied skills in fixed-wing carrier operations. As the core of a Maritime Task Group, the carrier will in the words of Dr Liam Fox,‘have the ability to combine fast jet … and amphibious capabilities – a floating piece of sovereign British territory which we can use as

A Royal Navy Vanguard class nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine. Work on its ‘Successor’ replacement is already underway to meet a planned 2028 commissioning date. It seems unlikely that there will be much room for other naval programmes in the meantime unless mooted increases in the defence budget become a reality. (This photograph is reproduced with the permission of Rolls-Royce plc, copyright © Rolls-Royce plc 2010)

The Type 23 frigate Kent pictured leaving Portsmouth Harbour during 2009. The thirteen ships of the class will be progressively modernised before being replaced by the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship from around 2021 onwards.

(Conrad Waters)

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WORLD NAVAL REVIEW 109

3.1

SIGNIFICANT SHIPS

BRITISH-BUILT OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS Balancing Cost and Capability INTRODUCTION Purpose-built offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are increasingly becoming the day-to-day workhorses of naval forces across the globe. They range from relatively simple vessels built largely to commercial standards and focused on low-intensity constabulary missions through to more sophisticated ships incorporating the weaponry and command systems necessary for higher intensity war-fighting. Many are operated by established fleets looking to replace traditional frigates with more cost-effective assets for surveillance operations. Others are being acquired by fledgling navies in the course of expanding their maritime capabilities. However, all are capable of protecting sovereign interests through the maintenance of a sustained presence in waters that can extend 200 nautical miles (370km) or more beyond a nation’s coast.1 The competition to service this market is intense.

Once largely the preserve of traditional European shipbuilders, yards in emergent economies such as China, India and South Korea are also now making their presence felt. Amongst the key factors for Opposite: The BAE Systems-built offshore patrol vessel Port of Spain departing Portsmouth in the course of sea trials in May 2010. She is one of a series of offshore patrol vessels and corvettes recently constructed by the company to a broadly similar design philosophy. (Conrad Waters)

success in this environment is the ability to offer flexible designs that can be readily adapted to support a range of missions. Equally important is a focus on affordability. Initial acquisition cost and on-going economy of operation are both important considerations to potential purchasers. One shipbuilder aiming to fulfil these requirements is the Surface Ships division of BAE Systems Maritime.2 The unit inherited a considerable OPV-related business when it acquired the former VT Group’s shipbuilding interests and is active in both domestic and export markets.

The current BAE Systems’ OPV portfolio is largely derived from the former Vosper Thornycroft’s EEZ Management Vessel design concept, which was selected by the British Royal Navy to replace its elderly ‘Island’ class ships in 2001. To date, the design has formed the basis of eight ships in four classes, as set out below: ■ ‘River’ Class (British Royal Navy) – three ships.

■ Modified ‘River’ Class – Clyde (British Royal Navy) – one ship.

■ Port of Spain Class (Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard) – three ships.

■ Modified Port of Spain Class (Royal Thai Navy) – one ship.

In addition, there is a degree of commonality with

Author: Conrad Waters the three larger Al Shamikh class vessels currently being completed for the Royal Navy of Oman. This chapter aims to describe these related classes and explain their broader influence on current OPV design.

ROYAL NAVY ‘RIVER’ CLASS Project Overview: The origins of the ‘River’ class date back to the year 2000. Late in that year, the British Royal Navy set up a Future Offshore Patrol Vessel (FOPV) programme in response to an unsolicited bid from Vosper Thornycroft (VT) to replace the five remaining old and unreliable ‘Island’ class OPVs used principally for fishery protection with more cost-effective units. VT won the subsequent competitive tender and contracts worth c. £60m were finalised in May 2001. A key element in VT’s proposal was an arrangement by which it would finance the design and build of the new ships, chartering them to the UK Ministry of Defence for an initial period of five years. Under an associated contract, the company also agreed to supply a comprehensive contractor logistic support (CLS) service that guaranteed a minimum level of operational availability. This arrangement effectively committed VT to making each ‘River’ class vessel available for 320 days each year compared with around 160 days for the ships they were replacing.3 As a result, only three new OPVs were required to

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Table 3.1.3.

PORT OF SPAIN Building Information: Fabrication Commenced: Launched: Delivered: Builders:

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS

23 January 2008 7 August 2009 1

VT Group (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) at is facility in HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

Dimensions: Displacement: Overall Hull Dimensions:

1,800 tons full load displacement.

90.0m x 13.5m x 3.5m.

Weapons Systems: Guns: Aircraft: Principal Sensors: Combat System: Other:

1 x 30mm MSI DS 30M & 2 x 25mm MSI DS 25M. Platform for 1 x medium helicopter of up c. 7 tons in weight 1 x Terma 4100 long-range surveillance radar. Navigation radars.

Ultra Electronics OSIRIS combat system. Integrated communications system.

Space for up to 6 containers with various equipment fits. 1 x Halmatic Pacific 24 RIB and 1 x fast interceptor for boarding/insertion.

Propulsion Systems: Machinery: Speed and Range:

Diesel. 2 x MAN 16V 28/33D medium-speed diesel engines rated at 14.6MW total. Two-shaft propulsion arrangement.

There are also bow and stern thrusters.

Designed maximum speed 25 knots. Range is 5,500 nautical miles at 12 knots.

Other Details: Complement: Class:

A typical crew is c. 65 personnel. Accommodation is provided for c. 70 plus an additional 50 troops in more austere facilities.

Three ships have been completed: Port of Spain (CG-50), Scarborough (CG-51) and San Fernando (CG-51)

Notes 1 Following cancellation of the acquisition contract by Trinidad and Tobago none of the class has yet been delivered.

Scarborough (2010) 1:500 scale

SCARBOROUGH

0m

10m

20m

30m

(Drawing Š John Jordan, 2011)

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OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS 123

Table 3.1.4.

AL SHAMIKH

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS

Building Information: Fabrication Commenced: Launched: Delivered: Builders:

23 October 2007 22 July 20091 [2011 Planned] VT Group (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) at is facility in HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

Dimensions: Displacement: Overall Hull Dimensions:

2,500 tons full load displacement.

99.0m x 14.6m x 4.1m. Length between perpendiculars is 90.0m.

Weapons Systems: Missiles: Guns: Aircraft: Countermeasures: Principal Sensors: Combat System:

2 x six-cell VLS modules for MBDA MICA surface-to-air missiles. 2 x quad launchers for MBDA Exocet MM40 surface-to-surface missiles.

1 x 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid. 2 x 30mm MSI DS 30M. 1 x AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 helicopter.

Vigile 400 electronic support measures (ESM) system. MASS decoys.

Thales SMART-S Mk 2 surveillance radar. Navigation radars.

Thales TACTICOS combat management system. Integrated communications system.

Propulsion Systems: Machinery: Speed and Range:

Diesel. 2 x Tognum MTU 20V 8000 medium-speed diesel engines rated at 18.2MW total. Two-shaft propulsion arrangement.

Designed maximum speed 25 knots. Range is 4,500 nautical miles at 16 knots.

Other Details: Complement: Class:

Accommodation for up to 92 personnel.

Three ships have been ordered: Al Shamikh, Al Rahmani and Al Rasikh.

Notes 1 Date refers to naming ceremony. Floating out took place some days earlier.

Al Shamikh (2010) 1:500 scale

0m

10m

20m

30m

(Drawing Š John Jordan, 2011)