Finnish Navy Orders Fourth Hamina Fast-Attack Craft

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

Aker Finnyards signed a $28.6 million contract with the Finnish Navy Feb. 16 for the construction of the fourth Hamina-class fast-attack craft (FAC). Construction will begin immediately with the unnamed vessel being delivered by late 2006 or early 2007. The fourth unit was an option that was exercised as a result of a December 2003 contract for the third and fourth units of the class. The third unit will be commissioned by early 2006.

The Hamina class was originally anticipated to be a class of two command-and-control platforms to control up to eight T-2000 air cushion vehicles; however, with the cancellation of the T-2000 program, the sea service will have to continue with additional Haminas.

With no new orders for Aker Finnyards anticipated through 2006, and the Finnish Navy still needing more modern FAC, at least two additional Hamina-class FACs could be ordered by mid-2006.

Portugal Moves Forward With LPD Program

The Portuguese Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with ENVC shipyard for the construction of one Schelde Enforcer-class landing platform, dock (LPD). The project, worth $277.9 million, calls for the new ship to be in service by 2010 and includes an estimated six landing craft, utility (LCU) as part of the contract.

The contract, as well as the design for the Enforcer class, is part of the offset agreement from the April 2004 submarine contract in which the Portuguese Navy (PN) signed a construction contract with the German Submarine Consortium for two Type-U209PN submarines, with an option for a third. The contract included provisions for an LPD design to meet the PN’s specifications.

Preliminary information states that the LPD will be the Enforcer 1300 design, but with a full-size deck. Specifications of the Enforcer 1300 include:

Length: 544.6 feet;
Beam: 82 feet;
Displacement: 12,750 tons (full load);
Military lift: 555 combat troops, 400 headquarters personnel and 30 main battle tanks or 90 armored personnel carriers;
Two Thales Naval Nederland Goalkeeper Close-in Weapon Systems;
Thales Naval Nederland DA08 air/surface search radar.

UAE Awards Contract for Eight AB139 Helicopters

The United Arab Emirates Air Force has awarded BellAgusta Aerospace Co. an $83 million contract for eight AB139 medium-twin helicopters. Six aircraft will be configured for search-and-rescue operations, while the remaining two will be assigned to VIP transport.

The UAE is the third country to choose the AB139 for search-and-rescue applications, following previous orders from Oman and Ireland. BellAgusta Aerospace Co. is a joint venture corporation that markets and supports the AB139 medium-twin helicopter and the BA609 civil tiltrotor. The AB139 promises true medium-lift capability combined with an interior designed for maximum utility.

Bulgaria Orders New Naval Helicopters

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense had ordered 18 helicopters from Eurocopter, including 12 AS 532 AL Cougar transport/search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopters and six AS 565 MB Panther helicopters. The 12 Cougars are for the Bulgarian Air Force and the six Panthers are for the Navy. The Air Force Cougars will perform transport and combat SAR missions for the ground forces.

The Panthers will be owned by the Navy and operated from shore bases since the sea service does not own any surface platforms capable of handling aviation assets. The Panthers will be delivered to Bulgaria by the end of 2006 and will perform sea surveillance and over-water SAR missions.

VT Shipbuilding Gains U.K. OPV(H) Contract

The VT Group has been awarded a $57.2 million contract for the construction and lease of a new Offshore Patrol Vessel-Helicopter, or OPV(H), for the Royal Navy. Construction of the OPV(H) will take place at Portsmouth dockyard in the United Kingdom, and commence this summer with a scheduled in service date of spring 2007.

The OPV(H) will be chartered to the Royal Navy through an initial period of 2012. The lease will more than likely be extended well past 2012 due to Falkland Islands patrol requirements now handled by the aging HMS Leeds and HMS Dumbarton.

Oman Orders New 64-Meter Landing Craft

Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) of the United Arab Emirates announced Feb. 14 it had signed a contract with the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) for the procurement of one 64-meter LCU. The contract for Project Mahmal is worth an estimated $4 million for the single unit that will be delivered to the RNO by early 2006.

The 64-meter LCU is an indigenous ADSB design powered by Caterpillar diesel engines, has a displacement of around 800 tons, and can carry up to 55 troops or 40 tons of cargo and equipment in lieu of troops. The United Arab Emirates Navy was the first customer for the 64-meter design and procured three units from 2001 through 2003. The RNO is the first foreign customer for the 64-meter design.

The 64-meter LCU was procured by the RNO to move heavy equipment from the mainland to the northern bases in the Strait of Hormuz.

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