Britain, France May Cooperate on Aircraft Carrier Programs

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

French President Jacques Chirac announced Feb. 13 that France’s second aircraft carrier would be conventionally powered, instead of nuclear powered as is the nation’s other carrier, Charles de Gaulle. This decision opened a pathway for closer cooperation with the British future aircraft carrier program.

The French decision to go with a non-nuclear carrier comes as Britain searches for ways to keep costs down on its own carrier program. According to the British Ministry of Defence, any cooperation with France would be at the industry level in order to save costs and would not take on the character of a joint procurement.

British and French defense powerhouses such as BAE Systems and Thales already work together on other defense programs. Additional cooperation may be a positive move for both nations’ industrial bases. There are several potential areas for cooperation, such as command-and-control systems, propulsion and other hull, mechanical and electrical systems.

However, the challenge in cooperating on aircraft carrier programs is that each country has selected a different primary aircraft: the Joint Strike Fighter for Britain, the Rafale F3 for France.

In January 2003, BAE Systems was selected as prime contractor designate for Britain’s future carrier, with its rival Thales brought on board to provide the whole-ship design. The design solution put forward by Thales (for which BMT Defense Services was principal naval architect) includes such novel features as a twin-island arrangement on the flight deck and the use of podded propulsors as part of an integrated full electric propulsion architecture with three Rolls-Royce MT 30 gas turbine prime movers.

French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie has argued that conventional propulsion will allow France to have a bigger aircraft carrier, which can accommodate more aircraft. A second carrier would allow France to have a rotational deployment capability for its naval air arm. This will become particularly important when the Charles de Gaulle is undergoing overhaul.

The French Defense Ministry plans a contract award for the new carrier in 2005, with an anticipated commissioning date of 2012-14. The British are expected to sign a carrier construction contract by the end of the year, with the first carrier being commissioned in 2012, and the second by 2015.

Saudis Work Details Of Helicopter Acquisition

In late February, Saudi Arabia was reviewing options for the procurement of up to 10 antisubmarine helicopters for its new fleet of Al Riyadh-class frigates. The Saudi Arabian Defense Ministry agreed in principle to purchase 10 NH-90 helicopters from NH Industries. The Defense Ministry also is involved in discussions with other European helicopter manufacturers, such as Eurocopter. Saudi Arabia has set a limit of $624.9 million for the procurement.

A final decision may not be made before 2005, as the Defense Ministry has not committed to price and delivery terms or final technical specifications. This procurement will follow the Saudi Arabian Navy’s purchase of 12 Eurocopter AS-532 Cougar helicopters to satisfy search-and-rescue mission requirements and replace older Cougar models.

The Netherlands Plans New Amphibious Vessel

The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) may acquire a new amphibious assault vessel with a full-length flight deck and the capability to replace the 29-year-old fast-combat support ship Zuiderkruis.

The RNN is considering a design that may take features from the IZAR amphibious assault ship now under construction in Spain for the Spanish Navy, as well as the British Royal Navy’s Ocean class. Both of these ships are capable of underway replenishment. If the plan continues into construction around 2006 or 2007, the RNN would add an amphibious vessel to a task force consisting of one large LHD/LPH with the two Rotterdam-class LPDs.

Indian Scorpène Submarine Acquisition in Limbo

As of mid-February, the Indian Navy and the French government still had not resolved their differences over the technical issues associated with a proposed Scorpène-class attack submarine deal. The deal, worth $1.6 billion, was generally agreed upon in November 2002.

However, delays have persisted because of technical difficulties and technology transfer issues. A meeting between French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha Feb. 13 did not resolve the issues. However, Sinha said that, while technical hitches remain, the decks were cleared for the deal.

The meeting came amid a general slide in Franco-Indian relations during the past two years. Both sides are attempting to improve relations and finish the deal for the Scorpène as well as other military arrangements. According to sources, hurdles will remain in place until at least the end of the year, as fences are mended and the final technical issues are cleared for a contract signing.

Australia Requests Information In Amphibious Transport Program

The Australian Ministry of Defense in mid-February released a request for information for a future amphibious transport program to Spain’s IZAR Construcciones Navales and France’s Armaris. The Australian government may release a formal request for proposals by the end of June.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is interested in a data package on the design of the French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, as well as IZAR’s strategic projection ship design, as an aid in preparing a request for proposals. Both designs meet the RAN’s requirements for a vessel over 20,000 tons that can embark, sustain and transport a combined-arms battle group with their equipment and supplies. Specific requirements include the ability to operate up to six helicopters, store an additional 12 helicopters and be able to conduct well-deck operations.

However, while the RAN is reviewing both designs during the information phase of the program, proposals may be issued for additional designs. Other possible recipients include Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, with its San Antonio-class LPD design, and Netherlands shipbuilder Schelde, with the Enforcer series. Four Australian companies — Australia Defense Industries, Tenix Defense Systems, Australia Submarine Corp. and Forgacs — will assist the RAN with the design evaluation and may team with a foreign shipyard in the bidding process.

The scheduling of the information and proposal phases of the program coincides with the newly released Australian Defense Capability Plan 2004-14, in which the RAN plans to procure two new large amphibious vessels. The RAN estimates costs for construction of both vessels to be $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion.

AMI International Inc., Bremerton, Wash., is an international consulting and naval intelligence services company located on the web at www.amiinter.com.