November 28, 2013 by Feng - informationdissemination.net

This week, CV-16 sailed forth with 2 051Cs and 2 054As escorts to South China Sea for what China calls a scientific and training mission.

There are some concerns that CV-16 was sent there for political purposes to intimidate neigbhouring countries. I personally think that's wildly inaccurate. As I talked about in the previous entry on 091, No. 404 (the first production version of Type 091) was sent to South China Sea for testing at PLAN's deep water testing facility in Hainan. It should not be a surprise that China's first carrier would spend time here given how little space it has to operate around the Qingdao naval base. One of well known posters on Chinese military forum recently posted the following list of uncompleted tests that will need to be carried through this time.
 

1. Temperature related tests - Due to the colder temperature of north, certain tests that require hot climate (like air conditioning systems and refrigeration equipments) can only be completed in South China Sea at this time of the year. All of this will happen in the relatively high water temperature of South China Sea, which cannot be replicated around Qingdao.
2. Deep water tests - The Bohai sea shelf around Qingdao is generally pretty shallow. South China Sea has long stretches of water depths of greater than 100 m (several hundreds of meters in many cases). ASW tests, especially against deep diving submarines, can really only be carried out here. Other tests including under water communications, acoustic countermeasures testing and deep water anchor testings,
3. Testing command & control - As part of having 2 051C and 054A in this sea trial, CV-16 will be able to test the command & control systems leading a flotilla formation. More C&C tests can be completed in South China Sea given the concentration of new combat aircraft and naval ships in the area (including the nuclear submarines stationed at Sanya naval base). He also listed that 054As are part of the flotilla due to their strong ASW suites, which is important given the number of foreign submarines that will be looking to gather CV-16 acoustic signatures. I tend to that's a lost cause.
4. Testing the new Carrier base - There is a new carrier base being constructed in South China Sea. Having this flotilla there will test out the ability of the new naval base to support a carrier group.

So there are a number of tests that will need to be carried out this time. In the long term, there will be probably multiple carriers home based in the carrier base in South China Sea. After all, there is far more room to operate there than around Qingdao. I think this will be the first of many trips that CV-16 makes to South China Sea until SSF gets its own carrier.

India's aircraft carrier acquired from Russia will initially lack its air defense system, based on the Barak-8 missile. (Georges Seguin/Wikimedia)

Nov. 26, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI – Defense News

NEW DELHI — After a five-year delay in acquiring a Russian aircraft carrier, the Indian Navy will have to wait further before the vessel is equipped with its proposed air defense system.

The Indo-Israeli joint project for the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) system for the carrier has been hit by technical snags, meaning the Admiral Gorshkov, now renamed Vikramaditya, which was formally received by Defence Minister A.K. Antony Nov. 15, will arrive in India without an air defense system. The system is based on the Israeli Barak missile.

An Indian Navy official admitted the carrier initially will have no air defense system. The carrier, however, will have an advanced electronic warfare jamming system and will be protected as part of a carrier group, the official added. It also will be equipped with an AK-630 rapid-fire gun system to destroy incoming missiles and aircraft.

“The main weaponry of the ship would be the ship-based aircraft, i.e. aircraft and helicopters with their integral weapons,” an Indian Navy spokesman, P.V. Satish, told Defense News.

However, a Navy source said the weaponization would include the fitting of a variety of guns, primarily of 20mm and 30mm.

The LRSAM, which is being jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is facing technical snags, an Indian Navy spokesman said, but gave no details. The joint development program was conceived in 2007, and LRSAM was to be ready for the Vikramaditya in 2014.

The LRSAM will have a multifunctional acquisition radar, one 3-D S-band guidance radar, one command-and-control system and four launchers, each carrying eight missiles.

IAI can independently install an air defense system, but there have been disputes regarding technology transfer.

The Indian Defence Ministry said it has expressed its concern to Israel about the delay. IAI executives here declined to comment

MOSCOU, 26 novembre - RIA Novosti

Le porte-avions modernisé Vikramaditya (ex-Admiral Gorchkov), livré à la Marine indienne il y a dix jours, est parti pour l'Inde, a annoncé mardi à RIA Novosti un porte-parole du chantier naval chargé de moderniser le navire.

"Le navire a quitté Severodvinsk pour naviguer ensuite en mer Blanche où il fera le plein de carburant. Sa prochaine escale est la ville de Mourmansk", a indiqué l'interlocuteur de l'agence.

Outre l'équipage indien, près de 180 techniciens russes se trouvent à bord du navire. Leur mission est de surveiller le fonctionnement des mécanismes, de conseiller l'équipage et de parer d'éventuelles défaillances. Une fois arrivés en Inde, une partie de spécialistes russes regagneront la Russie tandis que les autres resteront pour assurer la maintenance du porte-avions prévue par garantie.

La Russie et l'Inde ont signé en 2004 un contrat prévoyant la modernisation du porte-avions soviétique Admiral Gorchkov pour la Marine indienne. La livraison de ce navire, rebaptisé par l'Inde Vikramaditya ("fort comme le Soleil"), a été ajournée plusieurs fois en raison de différends financiers. Un avenant au contrat a été signé en 2010. Aux termes de ce document, Moscou s'est engagé à livrer le porte-avions fin 2012. Les défaillances d'équipements fournis notamment par des pays membres de l'OTAN, constatées lors des essais en mer à l'automne 2012, ont amené les chantiers navals russes à reporter la livraison à 2013.

20.11.2013 Par Olivier Berger, grand reporter à La Voix du Nord - Défense Globale


Après une campagne de qualification de jeunes pilotes de l'aéronavale, le porte-avions Charles-de-Gaulle avait dû rentrer à son port d'attache de Toulon pour une intervention mécanique sur le moteur nucléaire. Il est reparti en mer ce mercredi matin avant un plus long déploiement en fin d'année.

Le porte-avions avait dû rebrousser chemin plus tôt que prévu après une fuite de vapeur radioactive au niveau d'une soupape de sécurité sur le moteur à propulsion nucléaire.

Après quatre semaines de réparation, le Charles-de-Gaulle a appareillé ce mercredi matin du port militaire de Toulon avec l'état-major de la Task Force 473 et le groupe aérien embarqué (Rafale, Super-étendard, Hawkeye de surveillance, hélicoptères Dauphin, Caracal et Puma de sauvetage en mer). Il pourra conclure la campagne de qualification des pilotes, interrompue par le problème mécanique.

Il sera rejoint en haute-mer par le groupe aéronaval, formé de la frégate anti sous-marine Jean-de-Vienne, de la frégate de défense aérienne Forbin, d'un sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque.

En fin d'année indique la Marine nationale, le porte-avions procédera à " un déploiement de longue durée planifié ". Il sera alors rejoint, en plus de son escorte habituelle, par le pétrolier-ravitailleur Meuse.

Nov. 18, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued Nov. 16, 2013)

Marking a new high in India-Russia strategic cooperation, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today commissioned the completely refurbished 44,500 tonne carrier Admiral Gorshkov into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at an impressive ceremony at sub zero temperature in the wind-swept Sevmash Shipyard in the beautiful city of Severodvinsk in Russia. Snowflakes kept falling as the ceremony was held.

Speaking at the event, Shri Antony said INS Vikramaditya would significantly enhance the reach and capability of the Indian Navy. He said, the country has a rich maritime history and the Indian Ocean has guided our fate over the centuries.

“India’s economic development is dependent on the seas and safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests is central to our national policy. Aircraft carriers have been part of the Indian Navy’s force structure since our independence and have effectively served the country over the past five decades or so. The induction of ‘Vikramaditya’ with its integral MiG29K fighters and Kamov-31 helicopters, not only reinforces this central policy, but also adds a new dimension to our Navy’s operational capabilities. The meaning of ‘Vikramaditya’, which literally translates into “Strong as the Sun” is complemented by the Ship’s motto –“Strike Far, Strike Sure”,he said.

Reflecting the mood at the ceremony, Shri Antony said, ‘the event realizes the vision of capability-based transformation of the Indian Navy that was conceived more than a decade ago’. Calling it a Red Letter Day in the history of India- Russia cooperation, Shri Antony said this relationship remains a matter of the highest priority for both nations for our mutual benefit and as a factor of global peace and stability.

“The successful culmination of Project 11430 truly symbolizes the time-tested Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our two great nations. The Project has propelled the strategic partnership between our nations to a new level. The relationship between our two countries based on mutual trust and belief has withstood the test of time and the result is for the entire world to see in the form of ‘Vikramaditya’. As the ship sails into its home waters in the Indian Ocean Region, INS ‘Vikramaditya’ will be a befitting tribute to our long-standing relationship”, he said.

Describing the Project 11430 as a unique one, Shri Antony said, it was a challenging task for both the Russian and the Indian sides and congratulated the entire team for converting the ‘Dream Project’ into a reality. “The transformation of INS ‘Vikramaditya’ is an engineering marvel, which has tested the professionalism, capability and perseverance of the Indian Navy and the Russian industry, especially the Sevmash Shipyard”, he said and expressed confidence that all possible support would be extended by Russia to ensure that the ship serves India effectively and efficiently for the duration of its expected operational life cycle.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral DK Joshi said the INS Vikramaditya will bridge the time-gap that may come up between the INS Viraat and the Indigenously built aircraft carrier Vikrant.It will also help achieving our medium term goal of operating two aircraft carriers.

A large number of dignitaries including the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Mr Dmitry Rogozin and Defence Minister Mr Shoigu, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral DK Joshi, the Indian Ambassador to Russia Shri Ajay Malhotra, the Defence Secretary Shri RK Mathur, the DG Acquisition Shri SB Agnihotri were present on the occasion.

Mr Rogozin said INS Vikramaditya symbolises the close friendship between India and Russia and expressed confidence that it will grow in the coming years.

About INS Vikramaditya

INS Vikramaditya, the floating airfield has an overall length of about 284 meters and a maximum beam of about 60 meters, stretching as much as three football fields put together. Standing about 20 storeys tall from keel to the highest point, the sheer sight of this 44,500 tonne mega structure of steel is awe inspiring. The ship has a total of 22 decks.

With over 1,600 personnel on board, INS Vikramaditya is literally a ‘Floating City’. With a capacity of over 8,000 tonnes of LSHSD, she is capable of operations up to a range of over 7,000 nautical miles or 13000 kms.

To enable this 44,500 tonnes floating steel city to cut through the choppy seas with speeds of up to 30 knots, she is powered by 08 new generation steam boilers generating a total output power of 180,000 SHP. These boilers power four enormous propellers, each greater in diameter than twice the height of an average male. Such a four propeller - four shaft configuration is another first in the Indian Navy.

The power generation capacity onboard is about 18 megawatts enough to cater to the lighting requirement of a mini city. An extensive revamp of sensors including fitment of Long range Air Surveillance Radars, Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite makes the ship capable of maintaining a surveillance bubble of over 500 kms around the ship.

The ship has the ability to carry over 30 aircraft comprising an assortment of MiG 29K/Sea Harrier, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALH-Dhruv and Chetak helicopters. The MiG 29K swing role fighter is the main offensive platform and provides a quantum jump for the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capability. These fourth generation air superiority fighters provide a significant fillip for the Indian Navy with a range of over 700 nm and an array of weapons including anti-ship missiles, Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs and rockets.

The ship is equipped with state of the art launch and recovery systems along with aids to enable smooth and efficient operation of ship borne aircraft. Major systems include the LUNA Landing system for MiGs, DAPS Landing system for Sea Harriers and Flight deck lighting systems.

The heart of the operational network that infuses life into the combat systems onboard the ship is the Computer aided Action Information Organisation (CAIO) system, LESORUB-E, with the capability to gather data from ship’s sensors and data links and to process, collate and assemble comprehensive tactical pictures. This state of the art system has been specifically designed keeping in mind the essential requirement on the carrier for fighter control and direction.

One of the most prominent equipment fitted on the super structure is the Resistor-E radar complex. Resistor-E is the automated system designed for providing air traffic control, approach/landing and short range navigation for ship borne aircraft. This complex along with its various sub-systems provides navigation and flight data to ship borne aircraft operating at extended ranges from the mother ship. The precision approach guidance system aids the fighters on approach to be directed down to a distance of 30 meters short of flight deck.

INS Vikramaditya also boasts of a very modern communication complex, CCS MK II, to meet her external communication requirement. Installation of Link II tactical data system allows her to be fully integrated with the Indian Navy’s network centric operations.

Nov. 18, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: RIA Novosti; published Nov. 16, 2013)

SEVERODVINSK, Russia --- Russia handed over to India its aircraft carrier renamed INS Vikramaditya on Saturday after a much-delayed refit and cost escalations that led to disagreements between Moscow and New Delhi.

The Indian Navy finally received its modified carrier – formerly known in Russian as Admiral Gorshkov − at the Sevmash shipyard in the northern town of Severodvinsk.

The ship was first scheduled to be delivered in 2008, but the deadline was repeatedly postponed over the period.

The official ceremony was attended Saturday by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Indian Defense Minister AK Antony, who arrived in Russia on Friday for a four-day visit.

The commissioning papers were signed by deputy director of Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport Igor Sevastyanov and the ship’s Indian captain Suraj Berry.

The Vikramaditya will be escorted to India by a group of warships to secure its safe sail to its base in base in the Arabian Sea through a classified route because it does not have any air defense systems on board, according to Indian website Zee News.

The warship is expected to reach India by February 2014, Russian officials said earlier.

Renamed after a legendary Indian king, the warship was originally as a Project 1143.4 or modified Kiev class aircraft carrier commissioned by the Soviet Navy in 1987. It was decommissioned in 1996 after cuts to the Russian Navy fleet.

The refurbishments of the vessel lurched from one crisis to another since the $947 million deal was signed with Russia in 2004 for its purchase and refit.

The delays pushed up the cost of its refurbishing to $2.3 billion, sparking acrimony between Russia and India over the contract.

SEVERODVINSK, 16 novembre - RIA Novosti

La Russie a remis samedi à l'Inde le porte-avions modernisé INS Vikramaditya (ex-croiseur lourd soviétique Admiral Gorchkov) lors d'une cérémonie organisée aux chantiers navals russes Sevmach de Severodvinsk (nord).

Le directeur général adjoint de l'Agence russe d'exportation d'armements (Rosoboronexport) Igor Sevastianov et le commandant du porte-avions INS Vikramaditya Suraj Berry ont signé l'acte de réception du navire en présence du vice-premier ministre russe Dmitri Rogozine et du ministre indien de la Défense Arackaparambil Kurian Antony.

Le Vikramaditya est doté d'un pont d'envol adapté aux chasseurs MiG-29K/KUB, de nouveaux radars, systèmes de navigation et autres équipements. Le navire quittera les eaux territoriales russes fin novembre pour arriver en Inde fin janvier ou début février 2014.

En 2004, la Russie et l'Inde ont signé un contrat prévoyant la modernisation du porte-avions soviétique Admiral Gorchkov, rebaptisé par la partie indienne Vikramaditya ("fort comme le Soleil"). Au terme de ce contrat, la Russie s'est engagée à effectuer des travaux de modernisation pour 750 millions de dollars et à fournir de l'aviation embarquée pour le même montant. Le navire devait être livré en 2008, mais sa remise à l'Inde a été ajournée à plusieurs reprises en raison de différends financiers. Le coût final du contrat atteint 2,3 milliards de dollars.

Aux termes de l'avenant au contrat signé en 2010, la livraison du bâtiment de guerre devait avoir lieu le 4 décembre 2012. Or, lors d'un essai en mer en septembre 2012, des défaillances ont été constatées, y compris dans le groupe propulseur du navire, amenant les chantiers navals russes à reporter la livraison à 2013.

13 November 2013 by defenceWeb

A fleet of Italian Navy (Marina Militare) vessels led by the aircraft carrier Cavour today set off on an unusual trip around the Middle East and Africa that will combine crew training and diplomacy with a privately funded sales trip for Italian industry.

The Cavour, loaded with sales teams from defence companies such as Finmeccanica, Fincantieri, Elettronica and Beretta, will turn the vessel into a “large defence show like Le Bourget,” DefenseNews quoted Italian Defence Minister Mario Mauro as saying at a conference announcing the mission earlier this month.

Setting up mobile showrooms alongside defence firms on board will be the makers of Italian furniture and civilian aircraft, as well as representatives of the Italian Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations.

The rationale behind the travelling sales mission, which will call at 19 ports before returning to Italy in April, is that companies on board will foot the bill, effectively underwriting crew training as regular funding for exercises dries up, the Gannett Company publication said.

Industry will pay more than €10 million for fuel costs and €3 million for other expenses, including port fees, while the Navy will pick up the €7 million wages bill, said Navy Chief Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi.

Addressing the news conference, Italy’s military chief of staff, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, spoke of the benefits of being able to “train our crews for five months in a challenging climate, far from home.”

Accompanying the Cavour will be the patrol vessel Comandante Borsini, the support ship Etna and the multi-mission frigate Bergamini.

The Navy has been pushing to find creative ways to fund crew training while maintenance and operations budgets are eroding as planners divert large amounts for personnel spending, DefenseNews reported.

In the three-year budget published this year, maintenance and operations funding slips from €1.33 billion this year to €1.32 billion in 2014 and to €1.3 billion in 2015.

Apart from training, De Giorgi said the mission would help spur co-operation with allied navies the four vessel fleet calls on during the trip, including Mozambique, where the Italian and local navies are due to sign a co-operation deal.

The marketing of Italian naval vessels also would be on the agenda in the Arabian Gulf, Morocco, South Africa and Mozambique, while in Angola, talks would continue about Italian industry helping to develop a new type vessel for the local navy, he said.

The 27 600-ton Cavour has been involved in marketing activities before. In 2010, its maiden mission took it to earthquake-stricken Haiti with aid, earthmoving vehicles, hospital facilities and 900 personnel. But it also stopped off in Brazil, ostensibly to take on Brazilian medical personnel, but also to support Rome’s efforts to market naval vessels to Brazil.

Finmeccanica and Fincantieri, the two state-controlled companies that team on Italy’s naval construction, footed most of the bill for the mission.

This time, the mission has a more determinedly commercial profile, with potential buyers scheduled to board the Cavour at each port to view displays. The five month voyage was confirmed by Counsellor Luigi Diodati of the Italian Embassy in South Africa. He said further details, including exactly which South African ports the Cavour and her escorts would call on, would be made available in due course.

For companies in the Finmeccanica group, the voyage allows a focus on the gulf ports in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

AgustaWestland will be parking an NH90 and AW101 helicopter on board the Cavour, while Oto Melara will promote its new guided munitions and Selex ES the combat management system it installed on Cavour. Torpedo unit WASS will promote its Black Shark torpedo, while visitors also will see the Storm Shadow, Meteor and Brimstone missiles built by MBDA, in which Finmeccanica holds a stake.

Small-vessel builder Intermarine is joining the trip, as is small arms maker Beretta.

“We are interested in the visits to the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait,” said Lorenzo Benigni, vice president for communications at electronics firm Elettronica, which has supplied self-protection systems on Cavour.

The defence stands will share space with displays promoting Italy’s hosting of Expo 2015, as well as stands taken by small aircraft maker Blackshape, tire-maker Pirelli and business aircraft company Piaggio Aero. Railway technology group Mermec and microsatellite builder Sitael also will be represented, as well as an Italian trade association grouping 2 800 furniture and wooden goods manufacturers.

The mission, De Giorgi said, represented “a business card for Italy,” while Mauro said, “the Cavour will be a piece of Italy.”

Following stops in the gulf, the ships will make stops in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Algeria. During African stops, humanitarian groups on board, including 60 Red Cross volunteers, will work with locals.

Combined, the military presence, the marketing of Italian hardware and the humanitarian aid would show Italy is taking care of “360 degrees of co-operation,” De Giorgi said. The mission reflects his desire to engage the Navy in civil tasks.

The forward ramp section in place on the Queen Elizabeth at the shipyard in Rosyth (Photo: Aircraft Carrier Alliance)

November 12, 2013 defense-update.com

Pictures released by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance yesterday show the ramp section, which will allow jet aircraft to take off from the ship, being lowered into place at the shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland, where the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers are being constructed.

The 300-tonne section of ramp, which is 64 metres long and 13 metres wide, is the final exterior piece of the aircraft carrier to be fitted. At its highest point, the take-off ramp is 6 metres above the flight deck, which will allow aircraft to be propelled into the air.

The pictures come on the same day as MOD announces that a fourth Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft has been ordered from Lockheed Martin. The UK has already taken delivery of 3 Lightning II jets and Royal Navy and RAF pilots are training on the aircraft in the USA.

This fourth jet, which is specially designed to be a test aircraft, will help boost the ongoing training available.

Earlier this year, the first take-off at sea by a UK pilot in a Lightning II took place during a week of trials aboard the United States Marine Corps’ amphibious assault ship USS Wasp.

“We are on track to ensuring carrier strike capability by 2020. Both the completion of the take-off ramp and the announcement of the contract for the fourth jet show the tremendous progress being made to ensure that the Royal Navy will have a modern carrier force.” Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology confirmed.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

November 9, 2013 by Tamir Eshel

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the first of class of the US Navy next generation aircraft carrier (formerly known as CVN-21) officially received its name today. USS Gerald R. Ford represents the first new design since the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which was launched in 1972. The new aircraft carrier will be able to sustain higher operational tempo, while costing less to operate and maintain, saving the Navy a projected $4 billion over the ship’s 50-year lifespan. Capt. John F. Meier has already been named as the ship’s first commanding officer. He will be responsible for monitoring the final months of construction and likely be onboard when the Ford goes on its first sea trials.

Read more

South Korea's Navy plans to build the second ship of the Dokdo class large-deck landing ships as a light carrier to fly vertical takeoff aircraft, with a long-term goal of building two aircraft carriers by 2036. (US Navy)

Oct. 26, 2013 - By JUNG SUNG-KI  - Defense News

SEOUL — The South Korean Navy believes it can deploy two light aircraft carriers by 2036 and expand its blue-water force to cope with the rapid naval buildups of China and Japan, according to a Navy source.

The service has been exploring ways of securing light aircraft carriers based on an interim feasibility study, the source said.

“It’s a hope,” the Navy source said on condition of anonymity. “There are no fixed requirements at the moment, but we’ve been studying ways of launching light aircraft carriers over the next two decades.”

Rep. Chung Hee-soo of the ruling Saenuri Party revealed the contents of a program in a feasibility report last week.

“To cope with potential maritime disputes with neighboring countries, we need to secure aircraft carriers as soon as possible,” Chung, a member of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, said during a confirmation hearing Oct. 11 for Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “For more active international peacekeeping operations, our Navy should have carriers.”

According to Chung, the Navy envisions three phases:

■The first is to equip the second ship of the Dokdo-class landing platform helicopter ship (LPH) with a ski ramp to operate short-range or vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

The flight surface of the landing ship is already sprayed with urethane, which can withstand the heat created by the aircraft during operations.

Dokdo, with the addition of a ski ramp, could be deployed before 2019, according to the report, which suggests the Navy procure used VTOL jets from the US, UK and Spain if needed.

■Second, the Navy could build an amphibious assault ship, similar to the Spanish Navy’s Juan Carlos, before 2019.

■Finally, the service aims to build two 30,000-ton light aircraft carriers between 2028 and 2036, the report said. The carrier is to have specifications similar to the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, which can support about 30 aircraft.

“We should have capabilities to deter North Korea, and at the same time, we need minimal capabilities to respond to potential threats from neighboring countries,” Choi replied to Chung, apparently referring to the naval buildups of China and Japan.

China commissioned its first aircraft carrier last year, with three more carriers planned. Japan, whose Navy is classed as a self-defense force, has controversially unveiled a 20,000-ton helicopter destroyer akin to a small aircraft carrier.

More Aegis Ships and Jets

During the National Assembly last week, the Navy unveiled mid- to long-term procurement plans to further strengthen its naval power.

The service plans to commission three more 7,600-ton KDX-III Aegis destroyers by 2023 to develop a strategic mobile fleet. The service has three KDX-III destroyers fitted with Lockheed Martin-built SPY-1D radar capable of tracking incoming ballistic missiles and enemy aircraft.

“The construction of new Aegis ships could be completed earlier than scheduled,” Adm. Hwang Gi-chul, chief of naval operations, testified. “And the new Aegis ships will have better stealth functions than those with the existing ships.”

The Navy will also launch six, 5,900-ton next-generation destroyers — dubbed KDDX — after 2023.

The development of an attack submarine is on track, according to the Navy. The service plans to commission six more 1,800-ton Type 214 submarines to bring the 214 fleet to nine subs by 2023. After that, it will deploy nine, 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines codenamed KSS-III. The KSS-III is to be equipped with a vertical launch tube to fire a 1,500-kilometer cruise missile that can hit key targets in North Korea.

Other procurement plans include the FFX program to build a dozen new frigates with advanced sensors and a wide variety of weaponry. The FFX program is intended to replace the aging fleet of existing Ulsan class frigates and Pohang class corvettes with multimission frigates.

The 2,300- to 3,000-ton FFX vessels are to be built in two batches with an objective of putting up to 24 ships into service by 2026.

The Navy also puts a priority on acquiring reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. In particular, the service laid out plans to buy the Lockheed S-3 Vikings retired from front-fleet service aboard aircraft carriers by the US Navy in January 2009.

The service will purchase 18 S-3 jets and modify them into a new configuration meeting the Navy’s operational requirements. If adopted, it will be the first fixed-wing jet patrol aircraft operated by the South Korean Navy, which flies 16 P-3CK turboprop patrol aircraft.

“The S-3 introduction will offer a great opportunity for the ROK Navy to operate a carrier-based jet, as the service envisions deploying aircraft carriers in the future,” Kim Dae-young, a research member of the Korea Defense & Security Forum, a private defense think tank here. “From the operational perspective, the S-3 is expected to be used for various purposes, such as patrol, surface warfare and aerial refueling.”

In order to beef up its anti-submarine operation, the Navy will procure six more new naval helicopters by 2022.

In January, AgustaWestland won a $560 million contract to supply the South Korean Navy with six AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopters equipped with an active dipping sonar for anti-submarine role.

Apontage sur le Porte-Avions Charles de Gaulle

16/10/2013 Sources : Marine nationale

Le porte-avions Charles de Gaulle a appareillé le 16 octobre 2013 de Toulon avec à son bord les marins et aéronefs ( Rafale Marine, Super-Etendard Modernisé, Hawkeye, hélicoptère Dauphin ) du Groupe aérien embarqué (GAé). Cet entraînement se concentrera essentiellement sur la validation des aptitudes des pilotes du GAé lors de deux phases consécutives.

Une première phase, appelée communément « École de l’Aviation Embarquée » (EAE), permettra la qualification/transformation à l’appontage, de jour comme de nuit, des jeunes pilotes de l’aéronautique navale. Certains effectueront à cette occasion leur tout premier appontage sur le pont du Charles-de-Gaulle.

MOSCOU, 14 oct 2013 marine-oceans.com (AFP)

Le porte-avions Admiral Gorchkov, un bâtiment rénové de l'époque soviétique, a passé avec succès les essais en mer et quittera les eaux russes le 30 novembre pour être livré à l'Inde avec plus de cinq ans de retard, a annoncé lundi un responsable gouvernemental russe.

"Les essais en mer ont été passés avec succès", a déclaré le vice-Premier ministre Dmitri Rogozine, cité par les agences russes.

"Les défauts qui étaient apparus pendant les essais l'année dernière ont été complètement rectifiés", a-t-il ajouté lors d'un entretien avec le Premier ministre Dmitri Medvedev.

M. Rogozine, responsable de l'industrie de la Défense au sein du gouvernement, a ajouté que le navire, qui sera rebaptisé avant sa livraison INS Vikramaditya, quitterait les eaux russes le 30 novembre en direction de l'Inde.

L'Inde avait signé avec la Russie en 2004 un contrat de modernisation de ce navire. Mais sa livraison, prévue au départ à l'été 2008, avait été repoussée de plusieurs années en raison de plusieurs différends financiers, de retards dans la livraison d'équipements ainsi que de problèmes apparus lors de tests.

La facture de l'Admiral Gorchkov a depuis plus que doublé à 2,3 milliards de dollars.

Ces problèmes avaient tendu les relations entre Moscou et New Delhi, un de ses alliés de l'époque soviétique et premier client de son industrie militaire.

La réalisation de ce contrat constitue "une question de prestige pour notre industrie navale", a souligné Dmitri Medvedev.

Construit il y a trente ans, l'Admiral Gorchkov rebaptisé INS Vikramaditya doit combler le vide laissé par le tout premier porte-avions indien, l'INS Vikrant, retiré du service en 1997.

M. Rogozine a relevé que le navire qui serait livré dépassait les exigences techniques prévues dans le contrat, notamment en termes de vitesse.

"J'ai même dit pour plaisanter au ministère indien de la Défense que cela faisait même de la peine de le livrer", a rapporté le vice-Premier ministre.