I notice a lot of random topics started recently about activities within foreign navies...why not have a primary thread to post them in?

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Chilean Navy Orders MBDA Seawolf and Exocet Missiles

(Source: MBDA; dated April 26, 2006, released July 13, 2006)

MBDA has been awarded a contract to supply MBDA’s Seawolf Block 2 naval anti-missile system and submarine-launched Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles to the Chilean Navy.

The Seawolf missiles will equip the navy’s ex-Royal Navy Type 22 frigate (Almirante Williams) and three Type 23 Duke Class frigates, due to be transferred from the Royal Navy to the Chilean Navy over the next few years. The Exocet SM39 missiles will be supplied for deployment from the new Scorpene class submarines. The Chilean Navy will operate two Scorpene Class SSK submarines and SM39 will form an important part of the armament alongside the normal torpedo complement.

Jean-Pierre Talamoni, MBDA’s Sales and Business Development Director, said: “This is an extremely significant contract for MBDA from the Chilean Navy as this marks a “first” for MBDA in securing an export contract covering two weapon systems, one from the UK and the other from France, under a single procurement process. This demonstrates our achievement as a company to work with our customers as a truly multi-national organization.”

Marwan Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, said: “This very important contract seals our longstanding partnership with the Chilean Navy and the relationship will be further deepened as we work with navy to supply and support their missile systems throughout their life.”


BACKGROUND NOTES:

Seawolf is a fully automatic, fast reaction, high speed, warship point defence system offering an effective counter to multiple anti-ship missile and aircraft attack. Seawolf is the principal air defence capability for the UK Royal Navy and is in service with the navies of Brazil, Brunei, Malaysia as well as Chile. The new Block 2 missile, which entered service with the Royal Navy in July 2005, draws on state-of-the-art technology and can be fired from either the conventionally-launched barrels of the Type 22 frigate or from the vertically-launched silos of the Type 23.

The Exocet SM39 is the submarine-launched version of the MBDA Exocet family of stand-off “fire and forget” stealthy anti-ship missiles with skimming flight for engaging high-value naval targets. In service with the French and other navies around the world, Exocet SM39 was also recently ordered by the Indian Navy to arm its new fleet of Scorpene submarines.

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New Zealand's New Multi Role Vessel Begins Sea Trials

(Source: New Zealand Defence Force; issued July 5, 2006)

The 8,000 tonne Multi Role Vessel which is to be commissioned into Naval service in 2007, commenced two days of sea trials in Holland on 3 July. A total of ten Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) personnel boarded Canterbury at the Merwede shipyard, Holland for 48 hours of sea trials.

The ten representatives embarked included Project Director, Commodore (Rtd) Gary Collier, and Navy personnel involved in the setting of machinery and systems prior to the sea trials, and naval members of the MoD project team.

Over the two day trial period, essential sea-going systems such as main propulsion, bow thrusters, Integrated Platform Management System, radars, navigation and mission systems were progressively set to work, integrated with other systems and trialed.

Commodore Collier said the overall impression of the ship is that she is very comfortable. “Canterbury is spacious inside with good quality fittings. The design of cabins, messes and working spaces will make living and working comfortable, easy and efficient for her crew. She is sure to be as memorable a ship as her predecessor.”

Not all trial objectives were achieved due to the complexity of the setting to work. The ship was required to return to port for a planned dry-docking to conduct a hull underwater inspection.

It is planned to continue Canterbury’s sea trials on 16 July after more setting to work and fine tuning.

Canterbury was launched on 11 February 2006, she remained alongside in the Merwede canal until the commencement of the sea trials.

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Lockheed to Upgrade Aegis for Spanish Frigates

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued July 6, 2006)

Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $30,372,047 cost-plus-award-fee/cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for combat system engineering, computer program support, system integration and test, ship integration and test, staging, FMS program management, and integrated logistics support to include training and technical manuals, for the upgrade of the AEGIS Weapon System on Spanish F-100 Frigates (F101 through F104) in support of the Foreign Military Sales Case SP-P-LFZ.

This effort is a follow on to NAVSEA Contract N00024-97-C-5171 which procured the AEGIS computer program and support for the Spanish F-100 AEGIS Combat System program.

The new effort described herein is the upgrade to the AEGIS Computer Program to include the addition of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and SM-2 BLK IIIB functionalities.


Lockheed will upgrade the AEGIS weapon system of the Spanish Navy’s four F100-class frigates whose lead ship, F101 Alvaro de Bazan, is shown above. © Spanish Navy

Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (85 percent), and Spain (15 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2008. This contract was not competitively procured. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-06-C-5113).

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Belgian Navy Christens Frigates Bought from Netherlands

(Source: Belgian Ministry of Defence; issued July 7, 2006)

F- 930 Léopold Ier et F-931 Louise-Marie : these are the names with which the Belgian Navy will christen the two M-class frigates bought from the Netherlands.

This was announced today by Defence Minister André Flahaut during the double commemoration ceremony of the naval component in Ostend, which was attended by Prince Laurent.

The ceremony marked the creation of the Royal Belgian Navy 175 years ago, and the 60th anniversary of its rebirth after the Second World War.

Christening the ships with the names of the first King of the Belgians and his wife has a strong symbolic value in this 175th Anniversary of the Belgian dynasty.

We wish them fair wind in their new identity and under the Belgian ensign.

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Navantia Begins Building Spanish Fleet Replenishment Ship

(Source: Navantia; dated July 5, web-posted July 7, 2006)

The San Fernando-Puerto Real shipyard on July 5 cut the first metal plate for the Spanish Navy’s new Buque de Aprovisionamento do Combate (combat resupply ship, BAC).

This will be the first naval ship to be built in the Puerto Real facilities.

The event was attended, for the Spanish Navy, by Capitán de Fragata Benito Mayol, deputy commander of the Shipbuilding Inspectorate, and the program director, Capitán de Navío Salvador Vila and, for Navantia, by the director of the shipyard, Enrique Rodríguez-Segura, and the program manager, Francisco Domínguez Colas.

The new BAC ship, entirely designed by Navantia, is capable of supplying liquid fuels, water and solid goods to a naval force or a naval strike group, with the added capability of operating in conjunction with allied navies.

It can be deployed on peacekeeping operations, disaster assistance and civil evacuation missions.

Fitted with a double hull, this vessel complies with international standards and regulations governing environmental protection and anti-pollution norms.

Main characteristics are:
- length: 162 meters
- design draught: 8 meters
- dead weight: approx. 9,800 tonnes
- maximum displacement: approx. 19,500 tonnes
- power plant: 2 x 10,890 kW
- maximum cruise speed: 20 kts
- crew: 122 people


The contract, awarded in July 2005, calls for 4 million man-hours of work for Cadiz Bay industries, of which 2.5 million hours directly for Navantia and the rest for subcontractors in the area.

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Raytheon Wins Radar Order for Aussie Destroyers

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued July 12, 2006)

TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $72.8 million U.S. Navy contract for the advanced procurement of radar equipment for the Royal Australian Navy's Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD). Under the contract, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will provide system transmitters, associated hardware and spares for AN/SPY-1D(V) radar for the first three Australian ships.

"Raytheon continues to lead the industry in providing high quality engineering, production and support for radar equipment, providing mission critical search and guidance capabilities to U.S. and allied navy fleets," said Dan Martin, IDS' vice president of Maritime Mission Systems. "Our extensive experience allows us to deliver superior, combat-proven solutions to warfighters who rely on our systems to meet the requirements of their missions, each and every time, with no doubt."

IDS' SPY-1 radar transmitters and MK99 Fire Control Systems are onboard the U.S. Navy's fleet of cruisers and destroyers and are in-service onboard Japanese Kongo-class destroyers and Spanish F-100-class frigates.

Work will be performed at IDS' Surveillance and Sensors Center in Sudbury, Mass., the Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass., and the Maritime Mission Center in Portsmouth, R.I.

France Launches Second Horizon Frigate

(Source: DCN; issued July 13, 2006)

LORIENT, France --- The Chevalier Paul, the second of two Horizon anti-air warfare (AAW) frigates for the French Navy, was ceremonially launched at DCN's Lorient shipyard on Wednesday 12 July 2006.

The event was organised jointly by DCN and Horizon SAS. In addition to representatives of the main Horizon partners, the guests of honour included Laurent Giovachini, deputy director of French defence procurement agency DGA and director of weapon systems. The launch marks an important milestone in this Franco-Italian naval cooperation programme.

The DGA and NAVARM, the Horizon customers and contracting principals, appointed Horizon SAS, a joint subsidiary of Armaris and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, as the overall programme prime contractor. Armaris is a DCN/Thales joint venture and Orizzonte a Fincantieri/Finmeccanica joint venture.

Horizon frigates are designed to control the airspace over theatres of operations, provide anti-air cover for carrier groups and convoys and participate in public service missions.

As overall programme prime contractor, the Horizon SAS consortium awarded the design and shipbuilding contracts to DCN in France and Fincantieri in Italy. It then awarded the combat system prime contract to EuroSysnav, an Armaris/Finmeccanica joint venture drawing on the industrial resources of DCN, Finmeccanica and Thales.

The Horizon programme calls for the design and construction of four new-generation AAW frigates — two for the French Navy and two for the Italian Navy — and associated logistic support.

French Horizon frigates Forbin and Chevalier Paul will replace AAW frigates Suffren and Duquesne. Italian Horizon frigates Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio will replace AAW frigates Ardito and Audace.

All four will be fitted with the PAAMS principal anti-air missile system developed jointly by France, Italy and the UK.

Major milestones:

--8 April 2002: first plates cut for first French frigate
--19 July 2002: first plates cut for first Italian frigate
--19 September 2003: first plates cut for second Italian frigate
--1st December 2003: first plates cut for second French frigate
--10 March 2005: first French frigate launched
--14 October 2005: first Italian frigate launched
--12 July 2006: second French frigate launched.


The Horizon programme is setting a new standard in cooperation between the French and Italian naval contractors. Together, the countries have undertaken the joint development and construction of warships that are among their respective navies' most sophisticated. The programme also points to the shape of things to come as European naval shipbuilding evolves towards closer cooperation led by the industry majors.

The move towards closer cooperation was confirmed when Joint Armaments Cooperation Organisation OCCAR awarded co-prime contracts for the Franco-Italian FREMM multimission frigate programme to DCN/Thales subsidiary Armaris and Italian partner Orizzonte Sistemi Navali.

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Germany Launches Project to Navalize 155mm Artillery Turret

(Source: European Defence Agency; issued July 7, 2006)


--Contracting Authority:
Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB)
56073 Koblenz
GERMANY (DE)

--Title attributed to the contract by the Contracting Authority
Adaptation of 155mm Artillery Gun System from German Howitzer PzH 2000 for Naval Deployment

--Contracting Authority's file reference number: E/SR1A/6A111/5A700

--Estimated cost or range, excluding VAT: Less than 15.500.000 EUR

--Short description of the contract:

To introduce Naval Land Fire Support the deployment of the 155 mm Gun System from German PzH 2000 is planned. Naval adaptation of the gun system to meet maritime requirement is necessary.

Primary role of the gun-system will be for ASuW tasks; secondary role is Naval LandFire Support. Within the feasibility phase practicability to introduce the 155mm gun system onboard Navy vessels of frigate size has been proven.

Current activity covers the adaptation of the gun system for Navy use to include ship platform integration and design issues.

--Can a supplier bid alone for only a part (lot) of the contract?: No

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Strengthening Australia’s Maritime Security

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued July 17, 2006)

The consolidation of Defence’s domestic maritime security activities into a single operation will enhance the security of Australia’s offshore maritime areas.

The National Security Committee of Cabinet has authorised the establishment of Operation RESOLUTE to streamline Defence’s contribution to whole-of-government efforts to protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

It will lead to better coordination of Defence’s contribution to whole-of-government efforts to improve the effectiveness of our national maritime security regime.

Current Defence operations to be consolidated include RELEX II (focussing on unauthorised arrivals), CRANBERRY (illegal fishing and smuggling), CELESTA and MISTRAL (patrols of Australia’s southern ocean EEZ), and patrols protecting Australia’s gas and oil infrastructure.

Operation RESOLUTE will commence today and is commanded by the Joint Offshore Protection Command (JOPC), which has assumed responsibility for operational coordination and control of both civil and military maritime enforcement activities within the EEZ.

Headed by Rear Admiral James Goldrick, the JOPC is a joint organisation of Defence and Customs and is headquartered within Customs House in Canberra.

JOPC undertakes planning, surveillance, intelligence analysis and deployments to deliver a coordinated, whole-of-government focus on illegal fishing in particular and maritime security more generally.

The consolidation of Defence operations into Operation RESOLUTE will enhance the JOPC’s command and control arrangements.

The ADF’s capability to combat illegal maritime activities has been further enhanced by the addition of two Minehunter Coastal vessels and an additional two Armidale Class Patrol Boats.

Defence is further enhancing its contribution to maritime enforcement through increased hydrographic charting of the northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait areas, and increased intelligence support.

The Australian Government is firmly committed to cross agency cooperation in protecting Australia’s sovereignty and economic resources from illegal fishermen, people smugglers, drug traffickers and other transnational criminals.

This co-operation includes important contributions from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

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Chile to Receive 3rd Dutch Frigate, 2nd Scorpene SSK

(Source: Chilean Ministry of Defence; issued July 14, 2006)

The Minister of National Defence, Viviane Blanlot, begins this Saturday, July 15, a working trip to the Netherlands, Spain and the United States.

In the Netherlands, she will receive, in the name of the State of Chile, the third Dutch frigate for the modernisation of the national naval force.

In Spain, she will take delivery of the second Scorpene-class submarine, “Carrera.”

In the United States, she will meet Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for talks on bilateral issues.

This Monday, July 17, at the Den Helder Dutch naval base, the Minister will meet her Dutch counterpart. After talks on international security issues, the two ministers will preside over a ceremony marking the transfer and the commissioning to the Chilean Navy of the L-class frigate “Capitan Prat,” the third of four units acquired from the Netherlands to be integrated into the Chilean fleet.

Minister Blanlot’s official duties in Europe will continue on Wednesday Juy 19 in Madrid, where she will meet Defence Minister José Antonio Alonso Suárez. Later, she will have an hour-long audience with King Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace.

On Thursday July 20 the Chilean delegation will travel to Cartagena for the hoisting of the national ensign on the Carrera, the second submarine of the Scorpene class bought by Chile from the French-Spanish DCN-Navantia (formerly Izar) consortium.

The ceremonies for both ships will be attended by the Undersecretary of the Navy, Carolina Echeverría, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, Admiral Rodolfo Codina.

(…/…)

The Minister is also accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Jorge Huerta, and the Undersecretary of War, Gonzalo García.

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In theory, yes...but realistically, I don't think so.

I'm not a naval armament expert, but I'm assuming that turret would have to be "navalized" in ways that would make the conversion practically permanent.

I'll see what I can dig up on that program and get you further details.

India Signs Contract for 3 Russian Frigates


(Source: DDI India Government news; issued July 19, 2006)

Russia will build three stealth warships for India under a Rs 5114 crore contract signed in New Delhi.

The signing of the contract came nearly two weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the purchase of three more Russian stealth warships and 28 submarine-fired cruise missiles in a move aimed at bolstering the Navy's fighting potential.

The three Russian Krivak-class frigates would be acquired at a cost of Rs 5114 crore. The first one would be delivered five years after the signing of the contract and the subsequent two within 12 months after the delivery of the first warship, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had told newsmen after a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mukherjee had said the purchase of the three Russian frigates was a follow-up order to the purchase of three of the same type of warships in the late 1990s.

Indian Navy has already inducted three Krivak-class warships that were re-christened Talwar-class.

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BAE, Malaysia Sign Letter of Intent for Two Frigates

(Source: BAE Systems; issued July 19, 2006)

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom. --- BAE Systems has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Government of Malaysia for the procurement of two frigates for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

The project represents a highly significant industrial partnership between the Malaysian and British maritime industries. BAE Systems, through its Naval Ships business, based in Glasgow, Scotland, will collaborate with Malaysia’s Labuan shipyard on this major project. Discussions on the design, specification and construction of the vessels have been underway for some years. The RMN currently operate two frigates built in the BAE Systems facility at Scotstoun in the 1990s.

The contract for the two ships is expected to create substantial employment opportunities in Malaysia, with an emphasis on graduate opportunities. In addition, it will help sustain several hundred engineering and manufacturing jobs on the Clyde.

The Malaysian Government has nominated Labuan Shipbuilding and Engineering in Malaysia (LSE) as the lead Malaysian facility. LSE will work with BAE Systems Naval Ships and important technology transfer will benefit the Malaysian shipyard and the Malaysian maritime industry in general.

The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Minister Najib said, “The frigate programme and the opportunities it creates are hugely positive for the future of the maritime industry in Malaysia at all levels. The Labuan Shipyard will be undertaking significant elements of the construction, assembly and the launch of the vessels and a Malaysian supply chain will contribute via the integration of ‘Made in Malaysia’ items into the two frigates".

Mike Turner, BAE Systems chief executive, said: “Global industrial partnerships are the way ahead in many parts of our business and I welcome this important collaboration between BAE Systems and the Malaysian maritime industry. It builds on the substantial partnership that has already been developed between BAE Systems and Malaysian industry over the last ten to fifteen years. The faith shown in BAE Systems by the Government of Malaysia is also a testament to the performance of frigates already in service".

The ships will be fitted with state-of-the-art systems that will be fully interoperable with the current RMN frigates.

Australia to Buy Vertical Launch Systems for New Destroyers

(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; web-posted July 17, 2006)

WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1 billion.

The Government of Australia requested a possible sale of up to three (3) MK 41 Vertical Launch System Baseline VII ship sets (includes 24 modules), modification of up to three (3) MK 7 AEGIS Weapon Systems, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, personnel training and training equipment, support and test equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, launch system software development and maintenance and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1 billion.

Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom peacekeeping and humanitarian operations have made a significant impact to regional political and economic stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

The proposed sale of Vertical Launcher Systems and modification of the AEGIS Weapons Systems to Australia will contribute to U.S. security objectives by providing a coalition partner with significantly improved Air Warfare capability. This will improve the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to participate in coalition operations, will provide common logistical support with the U.S. Navy, and will enhance the lethality of its Air Warfare Destroyer platform. The Royal Australian Navy can easily integrate the capabilities of the AEGIS Weapons Systems into their concept of operations. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be:

--Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors Moorestown, New Jersey (two locations) Eagan, Minnesota
--Raytheon Corporation, Equipment Division Andover, Massachusetts
--General Dynamics, Armament Systems Burlington, Vermont

There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of three contractor representatives in Australia for approximately 36 months during the preparation, equipment installations, and equipment test and checkout of the MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems on the ships.

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.

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Chilean Navy Takes Delivery of Second Scorpene Sub

(Source: Navantia; issued July 21, 2006)

Navantia has commissioned today, in the Cartagena shipyard, the submarine 'Carrera' to the Chilean Navy, the second of the Scorpene class built by the Spanish-French consortium, for this country.

The event has been presided by the Chilean Minister of Defence, Vivianne Blanlot Soza, assisted in the Spanish part by the Armament and Material Director, José Julio Rodríguez Fernández and the President of Navantia, Juan Pedro Gómez Jaén.

The ceremony started at 11 a.m. with the hoisting of the flags, Chilean, French and Spanish as the anthems were being heard. Afterwards, the Director of DCN, the President of Navantia and the Captain of the submarine gave speeches to the guests, followed by the signature of the traspass of the ship, by the Chief of Chilean Navy, DCN and the Director of the shipyard. The ceremony ended with the embarking of the crew and the hoisting of the Chilean flag.

This milestone has a special relevance for Navantia, as it is the first unit assembled, floated and prepared for commissioning by the company. That allows a solid position and membership of Navantia in the exclusive and reduced world of submarine builders.

Besides the Scorpene submarine for Chile, Navantia is currently building two Scorpene submarines for Malasia and four S-80 submarines, of 100% Spanish design, for the Spanish Navy, as well as the engineering and technical assistance of six Scorpene submarines for India.

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Australia Launches Production of Heavyweight Torpedo

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued July 28, 2006)

On 22 June 2006, approval was given to proceed to Full Rate Production for the MK 48 Advanced Capability Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (ADCAP CBASS) Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo.

The torpedo is a product of a joint engineering, development, manufacturing and support project between Australia and the United States and will be the primary weapon aboard both nations’ submarines.

This important milestone demonstrates the continuing success of the joint program, highlighting the development and operational testing carried out in Australia as well as the work of Australia’s weapons facility in WA in building up the weapons for test.

This was demonstrated in test firings in December 2005 in a shallow water environment off the Western Australian coast by a USN submarine against the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) world-class Collins diesel submarines.

The joint operational test activity demonstrated the extent to which the two countries utilise each others' capabilities and assets to develop and test a state of the art weapon.

From weapons assembly, to firing, to data analysis, the United States Navy (USN) together with the RAN performed the international testing in harmony.

Modifications to HMAS Waller, the first submarine to be converted to handle and fire the new weapon, are progressing to schedule during its current Full Cycle Docking. Initial sea trials are scheduled for mid 2007.

Cooperating with the US Navy means we have the opportunity to influence design and development of the systems and to participate in a continuous improvement program to deliver the latest technology advances for Australia’s submarine fleet.

Australia’s Submarine fleet is an important element of our National Maritime Strategy and a vital asset in the protection of Australia's strategic interests.

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Click here for the latest pics of South Korea's new U214 SSK...and...19,000 ton LPX.

Australia Advances Next-Generation Destroyer Program

(Source: Australian Minister for Defence; issued Aug. 3, 2006)

The opening of the new Air Warfare Destroyer Systems Centre in Adelaide today is a milestone in the delivery of Australia’s three Air Warfare Destroyers.

This centre will house Defence and industry participants who will work together on the $4.5-6 billion Air Warfare Destroyer Program and bring the successful design to life.

This is a unique arrangement in which the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance - the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), ASC AWD Shipbuilder Pty Ltd (the shipbuilder) and Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd (the combat system systems engineer) - will work with two competing ship designers in the one building.

I commend all participants for their professionalism and co-operation, symbolised today by the signing of the Alliance Board Charter which outlines how all parties will work together, while maintaining healthy competition between the two designers.

Both the existing design (based on the Navantia F100 in service with the Spanish Navy) and evolved design by Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (based on the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer in service with the US Navy and seen for the first time today), will be developed by the AWD Alliance for consideration by Government in the second half of 2007. This competitive arrangement will ensure the Government gets the information it needs to pick the best design to ensure the ADF gets the best possible capability.

The decision to build these ships in Australia helps our economy, by providing new, “smart” jobs in an industry that is strategically important for Australia.

This AWD Systems Centre alone will create up to 200 new high-skill jobs in South Australia. These highly skilled positions range from naval architects and engineers to project managers with skills in warship design and systems integration. The Centre also will generate specialised design work for contractors around Australia.

The shipbuilding itself then will create more than 1,000 direct jobs in South Australia as part of the build contract and around 1,000 additional jobs at other shipyards throughout Australia (subcontracted for up to 70% of the module construction work).

Once they are in service, our Air Warfare Destroyers will provide our Navy with a significant new capability able to:

-- Escort our fleet, (including new amphibious ships that will be capable of transporting an entire combined arms battle group, their equipment and supplies).
-- Provide both air and surface defence to Australian troops close to shore.
-- Track and engage targets at ranges in excess of 150 kms using the Aegis combat system and long range missiles.
-- and potentially provide an element of sea-based ballistic missile defence for deployed forces, subject to the growth path chosen.

Our Air Warfare Destroyers will be uniquely suited to a range of maritime operations, ranging from high intensity conflict to border protection. In the words of Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, they will provide “a protective bubble for whatever area they are working in”.

Combined with the Joint Strike Fighter, Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and Collins Class submarines, the AWDs will act as a critical link in a networked Australian Defence Force.

These ships will serve Australia for 30 to 40 years, over which time nations in the Asia Pacific region will have access to some of the most advanced military hardware available. While we can’t precisely anticipate future threats to our security, the Government is determined that we be prepared and that our Navy has the best possible capability with which to protect our people, interests and values.

The $4.5-6 billion Air Warfare Destroyer Program again emphasises the importance of delivering a strong economy and the importance of this Government’s commitment to a 3% real annual increase in Defence funding through to 2015-16.

Today’s developments showcase the importance of taking a long term approach to Defence planning and maintaining a strong economy; the dividend of recent reforms to Defence procurement; and the benefits of having a strong Australian Defence industry.

I will follow with interest the work conducted at this Centre and the progress toward the delivery of our Air Warfare Destroyers.

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Washington might sell minesweepers to Taiwan

BIRDS IN THE HAND: The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved the sale of the `Oriole' and `Falcon' to Taipei, along with some ships for other allies

By Charles Snyder
STAFF REPORTER IN WASHINGTON
Friday, Aug 04, 2006
link

At the request of the Pentagon, the US Senate has taken up a bill to allow the Bush administration to sell Taiwan two ships to augment its aging minesweeping fleet.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday approved and sent on to the full Senate a bill to authorize the sale of two Osprey-class minesweepers, the Oriole and the Falcon.

While the cost of the ships to be offered to Taiwan was not enumerated, the US Navy estimated that the bill, which would also include the sale of one minesweeper to Turkey and two amphibious dock ships to Mexico, would net US$84.5 million.

In letters to House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Vice President Dick Cheney in May requesting that the sales be included in legislation, the Pentagon said the sales "would improve the United States' political and military relationships with close allies. They would support strategic engagement goals and regional security cooperation objectives."

The two vessels are among 12 Osprey-class minesweepers built between 1993 and 1999, and which are now being phased out by the US Navy. They are the world's largest glass-reinforced, plastic-hulled ships and the first US ships designed solely for minehunting. They are being replaced by multi-task vessels.

Most US military analysts, including those in the Pentagon, expect that any Chinese military actions against Taiwan would involve mining the Taiwan Strait.

In an attack or invasion attempt, mines would help keep US forces at bay, preventing them from effectively coming to Taiwan's aid. In a blockade, they would be used to prevent shipping from supplying Taiwan with goods.

China's arsenal includes more than 10,000 mines, according to defense expert Richard Fisher, a vice president of the International Assessment and Strategy Center.

As a result, Fisher wonders how effective the two new vessels would be in the event of a full-fledged Chinese mining operation.

Nevertheless, Fisher applauded the move to sell the ships to Taiwan in view of the potential Chinese military threat and the poor state of Taiwan's existing anti-mine capabilities.

Under the Senate bill, Taiwan would have two years after the bill were enacted into law to purchase the vessels, at which time the authorization would expire.

Taiwan would have to pay all of the costs involved in refitting the ships and bringing them to combat-readiness. All such work would have to be done in US shipyards.

The sale requires specific legislative action, the Pentagon said, because the vessels are less than 20 years old.