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.

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.

14/11/2013 Par Duncan Macrae – Air & Cosmos

Les restrictions budgétaires américaines obligent les industriels dans le secteur de la défense — même les plus grands — à réagir. Nouvel exemple ce jeudi 14 novembre avec l’annonce par Lockheed Martin de 4000 suppressions de postes et des fermetures d’usines.

Le géant américain, chef de file industriel sur le programme F-35, avait déjà fait savoir qu’il s’attendait à une baisse du chiffre d’affaires en 2013 à la suite du plafonnement des budgets de défense dans le monde occidental et de la fameuse « séquestration » des dépenses fédérales aux Etats-Unis. Il prévoit dorénavant une nouvelle baisse en 2014.

D’où l’annonce d’aujourd’hui. Celle-ce comprend la fermeture, d’ici mi-2015, des sites de Newtown (Pennsylvanie), Akron (Ohio), Goodyear (Arizona) et Horizon City (Texas). Un total de 2000 postes seront ainsi supprimés. Les 2000 suppressions restantes seront la conséquence de mesures « d’efficacité opérationnelle » qui seront mises en œuvre d’ici la fin de 2014 dans les branches Systèmes d’information, Systèmes de missions et Systèmes spatiaux.

Selon Lockheed Martin, ses effectifs ont déjà été réduits de 146 000 en 2008 à 116 000 actuellement. Il y a un mois, le groupe a annoncé un bond de 15 % du bénéfice net pour les trois premiers trimestres de 2013 alors que le chiffre d’affaires était en recul de 4 %.

Australia's Canberra class LHD Under-Construction (File Photo)

14 November 2013 By Peter Layton - Pacific Sentinel

Once again battle has been joined on the shape of Australia’s next Navy. While this may appear as merely differing opinions on our future navy’s role, lurking barely submerged are the omnipresent (sea) battles over budgets and spending. In struggles over funding real ships, there are no shades of gray.

Hugh White has re-energised the debate with recent forays (here and here) about the push in Australia of having a small navy of big ships. He holds that the Navy seems to be building a fleet focused on protecting an amphibious force so it can deliver the Army on defended, foreign shores. Hugh bases his criticism on a belief that Australia would be best served by building a sea denial navy able to prevent hostile naval vessels from projecting power themselves. His preferred sea denial force structure comprises smaller less-capable ships, more numerous and better submarines and maritime strike aircraft.

Currently Hugh’s main protagonist is James Goldrick, who supports the small navy of big ships concept on sea control grounds (see also here). Much of Australia’s international trade travels by sea, and navies have always protected merchant ships and are therefore built big. James’s argument is interesting, as many earlier sea control advocates have pushed for a naval force structure of large numbers of small ships mostly optimised for anti-submarine warfare. Large numbers of more-affordable ships were seen as needed to protect multiple convoys of merchant ships. Having fewer big ships meant only a smaller number of convoys could be protected.

On James’s side are the power projection supporters like Jim Molan and the airpower-minded Williams Foundation (PDF) who both argue—albeit from a different angle— that such large ship amphibious power projection is indeed what the ADF should be striving for. Taking a more carefully nuanced view is Thomas Lonergan, who cranks matters down a notch in stressing the two new big amphibious ships are not meant for high-end warfighting but lesser—if more likely—operations, a position with some supporters.

In sum, the naval debate in Australia seems to be across the three poles of sea denial, sea control and power projection. Such nautical debates are normally structured on such lines—nothing new here!

Across the Pacific however, the Chief of the US Navy is tacking in a different direction. Admiral Jonathan Greenert argues that the mission of the USN is presence, as far forward as possible. He says, provocatively: ‘We have to be where it matters. We need to be there when it matters’. For this, the Admiral advocates a large force of small ships like the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) and the Mobile Landing Platform (MPL).

The USN currently has 24 LCSs, 11 JHSVs and 3 MPL variants under contract, with more sought. The Service has begun deploying LCSs to Singapore. Eight more will be sent to Bahrain possibly beginning next year. These smaller ships are seen to ‘closely resonate with some of the missions of the future’ where numbers matter such as counterpiracy, humanitarian operations and maritime security.

The focus on small ships provides more vessels. More importantly, when looking at this in strategic terms, such ships are easier for the host-country navy to work and exercise with and present fewer worries over basing. For an engagement strategy of the kind the Admiral advocates, smaller ships are simply more appropriate than big complex ones like Aegis cruisers or large amphibious ships. Big ships may be good for hosting cocktail parties but are hard to host.

Such a concept would present a startling picture if applied to Australia. We could potentially have warships deployed on a long-term basis across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, becoming truly and deeply engaged with neighbours and friends in ways never possible before. Small ships could help build good relationships as part of an engagement strategy and be on hand at all times, not just occasionally. Such a strategy-driven force structure is very different to the traditional sea denial, sea control and power projection operational concepts underpinning our contemporary nautical force structure debates.

As interesting as all this may seem, what does the new Minister think? The new Minister seems to be coming down on the sea control side, albeit with a big new twist: collective defence of the sea-lanes. The merchant ships that serve Australia are actually owned by others and so their defence is a shared problem. The Minister also seems to be moving towards a fourth big AWD as the political significance of sustaining the naval shipbuilding workforce increases and the budgetary difficulty of doing so declines.

In a curious twist of fate, the new small ships that Admiral Greenert talks of have strong linkages to Australian shipbuilding. WA’s Austal shipyards both designed, and is building, the USN’s new JHSVs and one of the two LCS types. If Australia has gone Spanish in building its small fleet of big ships, the USN has gone Australian in building its big fleet of small ships.

Is there room for some new thinking in Australia about naval force structure beyond the old constructs? A regional Indo-Pacific engagement strategy may suggest that some new ideas are worth considering. After all, a fourth AWD will cost some $2bn or about the same as four JHSVs and four LCSs. Maybe a more balanced strategy-driven debate is just what’s needed.

Perhaps the last word should be Minister Johnston’s. Speaking of the LCS he noted that ‘They are fast, cost effective and relatively easily built and very flexible and versatile. Our navy needs a suitable mix of high-end war-fighting capabilities, such as the Air Warfare Destroyers and smaller vessels…’

MOSCOW, November 7 (RIA Novosti)

Russia will deliver the two more Varshavyanka class diesel-electric submarines to Vietnam in 2014, a defense industry source said Thursday.

The Varshavyanka-class (Project 636) is an improved version of the Kilo-class submarines and features advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.

Vietnam in 2009 ordered six of the Russian-made submarines -- dubbed “black holes in the ocean” by the US Navy because they are nearly undetectable when submerged -- in a step seen as an effort to counterbalance China’s expanding maritime influence in the region.

According to the defense industry source, the first craft in the order is to be loaded on a stevedore barge on November 11 and towed to Vietnam, where it will be officially transferred to the country’s navy.

“The second vessel will be delivered in the beginning of next year, possibly in January, while the third will be also transferred in 2014,” the source said.

The contract, which also includes provision for the training of Vietnamese submarine crews in Russia, is reportedly worth $2 billion.

The submarines are being built at St. Petersburg’s Admiralty Shipyards. All six boats are due for delivery by 2016.

The source also said Thursday that three Varshavyanka-class submarines will be delivered by Admiralty Shipyards to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet next year.

Work on building the first sub, the Novorossiisk, began in August 2010, followed by Rostov-on-Don in November 2011 and Stary Oskol in August 2012.

The Project 636 class boats displace 3,100 tons, reach speeds of 20 knots, can dive to 300 meters and carry crews of 52 people.

The submarines, which feature 533-mm torpedo tubes and are armed with torpedoes, mines, and Kalibr 3M54 (NATO SS-N-27 Sizzler) cruise missiles, are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine missions in relatively shallow waters.

12 November 2013 by Guy Martin/Oscar Nkala - defenceWeb

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Marine Unit has commissioned seven new Guardian BR850 interceptor boats from Nautic Africa, which are being deployed on Lake Malawi.

They were commissioned by President Joyce Banda last week at their Monkey Bay base, on the shore of Lake Malawi. The boats will be used to patrol the lake, and will also engage in VIP transport/escort, search and rescue and disaster relief operations. They were delivered in pairs over the last three months.

James Fisher, CEO of Nautic Africa, told defenceWeb that the contract for the seven boats includes training and maintenance support over a period of five years and that Malawi is in discussions to purchase additional larger boats from the company. One option could be purchasing a 35 metre patrol boat and using it as a ‘mother ship’ from which to launch BR850s, allowing Malawi to cover a much larger area of the lake.

Although the BR850s were delivered without weapons, Malawi intends to arm them – the interceptors have weapons mounts for items such as 12.7 mm machineguns.

According to the Malawi News Agency, the delivery is a big boost to the operational capability of the Marine Unit, which has struggled to accomplish its mission of securing the country's maritime domain since its foundation in 1978.

The Malawi Defence Force’s maritime wing has only a few patrol boats in its inventory, including a couple of armed launches, a dozen Zodiacs and several small patrol craft, including two Namacurras donated by the South African Navy.

Fisher said the delivery of the BR850s was a major boost to the Marine Unit as the boats are fast, hardy and strong and suitable for beach landings and navigating shallow creeks and other waterways.

Banda said the acquisition of the boats was part of a comprehensive government strategy to improve the working and living conditions of the defence force.

"(The) government is committed to improving the living conditions for all men and women in uniform who are currently performing remarkably despite the lack of modern resources and the poor living conditions they are enduring. I am pleased to report that our soldiers who are on the peacekeeping assignment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are performing excellently and that is an indication of the well disciplined military that Malawi owns," Banda said.

The Guardian BR850 is an 8.5 mm aluminium craft with a full load displacement of 3.8 tonnes and can be carried aboard larger vessels for use on boarding operations – it has a single-point hoist mechanism, making it easy for mother ships to hoist the boat onto the water.

The craft has a 2.8 m beam and 60 cm draught - this shallow draft combined with a 373 kW diesel with a tunnel propeller drive allows operations close to the shore and in river deltas.

They craft has a maximum speed of 42 knots with a range of 295 km at that speed, or a 700 km range at 20 knots for inshore patrol or similar tasks. It is designed for a crew of two with space for a six-strong boarding party, and can be fitted with shock-mitigating seats if intended for high-speed intercept missions. Systems include a GPS/chart plotter and a 2 kW 4G broadband radar. Ballistic protection is available using Nautic’s SuperShield armour, which protects to NATO Level 3+. However, this adds a couple of tons of weight.

Nautic began sea trials of the 8.5 metre Guardian BR850 in December 2012. Several African customers have already ordered, and received, the BR850. Nautic Africa recently concluded a R600 million deal to build several 35 metre multi-role patrol vessels for West African clients and these will carry BR850 boats.

Ten and 12 metre variants of the Guardian are also available, but none have been built yet as Nautic is full up with other orders. Fisher said there was a lot of interest in the range, and expects further BR850 orders before year-end.

The Paramount Group last week announced it had acquired a majority stake in Nautic Africa, and once the Paramount marketing machine gets rolling, Fisher is confident of receiving many more orders – in fact, he is worried that the company won’t be able to cope and that it will need to expand it premises even more. He told defenceWeb that production capacity stands at R500 million a year, but Paramount could bring in orders worth billions.

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

11 November 2013 by Dean Wingrin - defenceWeb

Paramount Naval Systems (previously Nautic Africa) has announced the development of a new 42 metre aluminium trimaran patrol vessel.

The announcement was made at the Thursday ceremony in Cape Town where Paramount Group, Africa’s largest privately owned defence and aerospace company, formally publicised their acquisition of a majority stake in Cape Town-based ship building company Nautic Africa. The military business side of Nautic Africa has been rebranded as Paramount Naval Systems.

Speaking at the ceremony, CEO James Fisher noted that the new 42 m trimaran patrol vessel is the “first fruit of the association” between Paramount Group and Nautic Africa. It will also be the first time that a vessel of this nature is being designed and built in South Africa.

To be known as the Frontier Patrol Vessel, Fisher said that the trimaran is being developed in direct response to an obvious need in the market for a highly efficient, sea-kindly, multi-role platform.

Supporting the initiative, Ivor Ichikowitz, Executive Chairman of Paramount Group, said: “We are committed to the development of the South African shipbuilding industry and putting Africans at the heart of it.”

Nautic Africa has a legacy of only using locally designed vessels to keep the intellectual capital in South Africa.

Emphasising the importance of the project, Ichikowitz said that the project would be internally funded. “We consider (the new design) to be very strategic,” he said, “Not only to be proof of concept, but also to do effective trials.”

Michael Bakker, naval architect and head of product development, explained that the trimaran offers improved propulsive efficiency and better economy over a wider speed range when compared to the equivalent monohull.

“At the same time,” Bakker continued, “it will provide a more stable work platform as it has superb stability with respect to seakeeping.”

Building of what Fisher describes as “a cutting edge design” will commence in 2014.

Able to sustain itself for long durations at sea, the design features a helideck, space for two interceptor boats and a crew of 30. The top speed of 29 knots is capable of being increased to 40 knots when larger engines, of which there are two, are specified.

Both Ichikowitz and Fisher stressed that the new design is a way for smaller defence forces to have a patrol capability at a cheaper cost. With an increasing threat facing Africa from the sea in the form of piracy, theft of marine resources and drug trafficking, Fisher noted that “there has never been a greater need for naval security in the waters around Africa.”

As a result, there is a demand to have more vessels on the water. A capable vessel with a low purchase and support cost, Fisher said, can result in more vessels for a smaller budget.

Le programme B2M doit remplacer à partir de 2015-2016 les bâtiments de transport légers (Batral), aujourd'hui à bout de souffle.

09/11/2013 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

Ce contrat de l'ordre de 100 millions d'euros sera transféré à leur filiale commune Kership, récemment créée. Ces bâtiments sont très attendus par la Marine nationale.

Les nouveaux partenaires, DCNS et le chantier naval Piriou peuvent se frotter les mains. Comme l'a révélé "Ouest-France" fin octobre, ils sont en pole-position pour remporter un contrat du ministère de la Défense portant sur la construction de trois Bâtiments multi-missions (B2M) et un autre en option, des navires de 65 mètres de long faiblement armés, ont confirmé des sources concordantes à "La Tribune". Soit une commande de l'ordre de 100 millions d'euros (hors option), construction et maintien en condition opérationnelle pour une durée de six ans. La livraison du premier B2M est prévue à la fin de 2015 ou au début de 2016, les deux suivants étant prévus un an plus tard.

La direction générale de l'armement (DGA) a choisi dans le courant du mois d'octobre DCNS et Piriou, mieux-disant, aux dépens du consortium formé par STX et de Constructions mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), et, enfin d'une offre de Socarenam de Boulogne, alliée à la Compagnie maritime nantaise. Début décembre, un comité ministériel d'investissement (CMI) du ministère de la Défense doit se réunir début décembre pour confirmer ce choix. Le contrat devrait être notifié dans la foulée. Certainement "avant la fin du mois de décembre 2013", comme l'avait expliqué début octobre à l'Assemblée nationale le délégué général pour l'armement (DGA), Laurent Collet-Billon.

Un contrat qui va renforcer l'alliance DCNS et Piriou

Ce contrat va donc conforter l'alliance de DCNS et de Piriou, qui avaient créé une société commune Kership. Cette entreprise a pour objectif de devenir un leader mondial dans la construction de navires destinés à l'action de l'Etat en mer. Le contrat sera notifié aux deux entreprises, et non à Kership. Pourquoi ? Parce que l'appel d'offre du ministère et la réponse des deux partenaires sont antérieures à la création de l'entreprise commune. "Le contrat sera très probablement transféré à Kership", explique-t-on de source proche du dossier.

Détenue par Piriou et DCNS, respectivement à hauteur de 55 % et 45 %, Kership est une société anonyme par actions simplifiées dotée d'un conseil de surveillance à parité de représentation des deux partenaires. La prise de participation de DCNS au capital de la société commune s'élevera à 2,25 millions d'euros.

Financement assuré par le ministère de la Défense

Initialement, le financement devait être interministériel. Mais au final, le ministère de la Défense assurera seul le financement de la construction et le fonctionnement des trois premiers B2M. "Les conditions initiales de conduite du programme B2M prévoyaient une contribution de l'État - hors ministère de la Défense - de 20 % pour l'acquisition et de 50 % pour le fonctionnement, avait expliqué Laurent Collet-Billon. D'une réunion interministérielle tenue en juillet dernier, il est apparu que ce financement n'était plus garanti". D'où le nouveau dispositif de financement.

Pourquoi une telle précipitation alors ? La marine a abandonné le programme des bâtiments d'intervention et de souveraineté (BIS), qui devaient remplacer les bâtiments de transport légers (Batral), aujourd'hui à bout de souffle. Elle compense "ce renoncement" par l'arrivée des B2M à partir de 2015 et de 2016, avait expliqué le chef d'Etat-major de la marine, selon les propos de l'amiral Bernard Rogel. Ces premiers bâtiments doivent être déployés en Polynésie, Antilles-Guyane et en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Une "situation critique"

L'amiral Rogel a été clair. La France ne pourra "pas surveiller en permanence l'ensemble de notre ZEE (zone économique exclusive, ndlr) qui représente plus de vingt fois le territoire métropolitain, mais nous tâchons de la contrôler au mieux, notamment pour éviter que d'autres viennent y exploiter ses richesses", a-t-il expliqué. Le chef d'Etat-major de la marine avait déjà annoncé, il y a deux ans, des réductions temporaires de capacité pour les moyens en outre-mer. Aujourd'hui, "elles subsistent mais les B2M, qui embarqueront des armes légères, remplaceront les Batral, et les patrouilleurs continueront d'être exploités avec le risque de rupture franche", a-t-il rappelé. Dans le Pacifique, la marine ne dispose que de deux patrouilleurs et deux frégates de surveillance, "qui j'espère à terme seront renforcées par les B2M en attendant la livraison du programme Batsimar".

Selon l'amiral, le décalage à la loi de programmation militaire 2014-2019 du programme Batsimar entraîne "une aggravation supplémentaire de la situation de la composante patrouilleurs post 2020 ». Outre-mer, le retrait en 2020 des derniers patrouilleurs P400 prolongés "rendra la situation critique". "Ainsi, l'acquisition de patrouilleurs légers pour la Guyane (PLG) et des B2M est impérative pour atténuer la réduction capacitaire avant 2016". Et de préciser que "ces remplacements doivent être garantis, faute de quoi nous n'aurons vraiment plus grand-chose pour assurer la souveraineté de notre zone économique outre-mer".

Royal Navy River Class offshore patrol vessels HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey (library image) [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Al Macleod, Crown copyright]

6 November 2013 Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support

MOD plans to commission 3 new ocean-going offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy.

The new ships will be built by BAE Systems at their shipyards on the Clyde in a deal that will sustain jobs in the UK’s warship-building industry, and will play a key role in counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.

The agreement with BAE Systems provides work for the company between the completion of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, securing the vital skills needed to build the UK’s future warships.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is also announcing today that more than £100 million will be invested in Her Majesty’s (HM) Naval Base Portsmouth, which will be home to both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The money will expand the dockyard to ensure it is ready for the arrival of the Royal Navy’s biggest ever warships as well as for the Type 45 destroyers which are based in Portsmouth.

Under the terms of a business agreement signed with BAE Systems in 2009, MOD would have been liable to pay for any periods when no shipbuilding was taking place at UK yards.

Building offshore patrol vessels means not only are staff at BAE Systems able to continue to work and maintain their skills, but also the Royal Navy benefits from 3 new ships and the taxpayer gets much better value for money.

The cost of building the ships is funded from money that would have been used to pay for idle capacity, finance redundancies and meet the cost of industrial restructuring.

Portsmouth will maintain its proud maritime heritage as the home of much of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet and the centre of BAE Systems’ ship support and maintenance business.

Mr Hammond said:

This deal will provide the Royal Navy with 3 brand new maritime patrol vessels with a wide range of capabilities which will support our national interests and those of our overseas territories.

This is an investment not only in 3 ships but also in this country’s warship-building industry. It prevents workers standing idle and sustains the vital skills needed to build the planned Type 26 frigate in the future.

I am also pleased to announce additional investment in Portsmouth Naval Base to prepare for the significant increase in tonnage as the home port for the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers and destroyers.

Work on the new offshore patrol vessels is due to begin next year, with the first ship being delivered to the Royal Navy in 2017. The ships are expected to replace the current, smaller River Class vessels, HM Ships Tyne, Severn and Mersey, which have been policing the UK’s waters since 2003, but a final decision will be taken in the next strategic defence and security review.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, the First Sea Lord, said:

These new patrol vessels will build on the proven performance of the River Class by adding a flight deck to take the Navy’s Merlin helicopters and by adding operational flexibility through extra storage capacity and accommodation. They are very welcome.

 4 novembre 2013 medias24.com

La direction de DCNS, le chantier naval français qui a construit la frégate Mohammed VI, a indiqué dans une déclaration à Médias 24 que le bâtiment sera livré fin novembre à la marine royale.

Le navire est déjà en mer depuis plusieurs mois. Depuis le printemps, des essais et des formations ont lieu afin que la marine royale puisse en prendre les commandes. Des essais concernant les performances de combat ont également eu lieu.

La frégate multi-mission (Fremm) est un programme de 12 unités : 11 pour le marine française et une pour la marine marocaine. Les premières livraisons ont commencé fin 2012. Longue de 142 mètres et pouvant accueillir jusqu’à 145 personnes, la Fremm peut recevoir un hélicoptère NH90 et être armées.

Les Fremm peuvent être équipées de missiles de défense anti-aérienne de type Aster, de missiles de croisière navals permettant d’atteindre des cibles terrestres et de torpilles. Les Fremm sont équipées d'un canon de 76 mm.

Oct 29, 2013 ASDNews Source : General Dynamics Corporation

General Dynamics Electric Boat will christen North Dakota (SSN-784), the U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced nuclear-attack submarine, at its shipyard here on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m.  Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Katie Fowler, wife of retired Vice Adm. Jeff Fowler, is the ship's sponsor.  The event's principal speaker is Vice Adm. Michael J. Connor, commander – Submarine Forces.

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The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer DDG 1000 is floated out of dry dock at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard. The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. Photo: General Dynamics

October 29, 2013 defense-update.com

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) successfully launched the Navy’s first Zumwalt-class destroyer Oct. 28 at their Bath, Maine shipyard. The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) will be the lead ship of the Navy’s newest destroyer class, designed for littoral operations and land attack. At 610 feet (186 meter) long, and 15,610 (long) tons displacement, the Zumwalt looks unlike any ship the navy has sailed, with an angular superstructure, a low-slung “tumblehome” hull to “pierce” waves for a smoother ride, Other new provisions include electric propulsion and a futuristic bridge, that looks more like it belongs on Star Trek’s USS Enterprise than a real Navy ship.

The $4 billion warship, built by Bath Iron Works in Maine, was launched on the Kennebec River Monday, five years after construction began. The Zumwalt, hull number DDG-1000, was meant to be the first of a class to replace the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Rising construction costs caused caused the Pentagon to tack, limiting the program to just three Zumwalts. They are 100 feet longer than their predecessor, but require half the crew.

The ship began its translation from Bath Iron Works’ land-level construction facility to a floating dry dock on Friday. Once loaded into the dry dock, the dock was flooded and the ship was removed from its specially designed cradle. By late Monday, the dock had been flooded and the ship was floated off and tied to a pier on the Kennebec River. Photo: General Dynamics

Because of the complexity of the first-of-class ship, the Navy will perform a two-phase delivery process. Bath Iron Works will deliver the ship itself to the Navy in late 2014. Upon delivery, the Navy will then conduct combat systems activation, tests and trials, to include multiple underway periods. The ship is expected to reach its initial operating capability in 2016. The BIW will deliver the USS Zumwalt in fall of 2015. DDG-1001, the USS Michael Monsoor, is scheduled for 2016 delivery, and the DDG-1002, USS Lyndon B. Johnson, is expected in 2018.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships, an affiliated PEO of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft.

The Zumwalt floating after the completed launch. “The launch was unprecedented in both its size and complexity,” said Capt. Jim Downey, the Zumwalt-class program manager for the Navy’s Program Executive Office, Ships.

The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. The Navy has incorporated many new technologies into the ship’s unique tumblehome hull, including an all-electric integrated power system and an Advanced Gun System, designed to fire rocket-powered, precision projectiles 63-nautical miles. The vessel will carry two MH-60R helicopters or one MH-60R and three unmanned vertical takeoff and landing unmanned helicopters (VTUAS). The Zumwalt’s 148 sailors will also enjoy improved on-board amenities, with fewer sailors per quarters, high-end food preparation and satellite laptops.

The USS Zumwalt may be the biggest destroyer ever built for the Navy, but it should be the hardest to spot on radar. The shape of the superstructure and the arrangement of its antennas significantly reduce the ship’s radar cross section, making the ship less visible to enemy radar at sea. The design also allows for optimal manning with a standard crew size of 130 and an aviation detachment of 28 Sailors thereby decreasing lifecycle operations and support costs.

Construction began on DDG 1000 in February 2009, and the Navy and its industry partners have worked to mature the ship’s design and ready their industrial facilities to build this advanced surface combatant. Zumwalt is currently more than 87 percent complete, and the shipbuilder will continue remaining construction work on the hull prior to planned delivery late next year.

The lead ship and class are named in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., who served as chief of naval operations from 1970-1974. The official christening of the ship was cancelled earlier this month. Originally scheduled for Oct. 19, the ceremony was postponed until a future date due to the US administration shutdown.