Belgian Navy to Receive Karel Doorman Frigates

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

Belgium and the Netherlands have reached an agreement on the transfer of two Karel Doorman-class frigates from the Royal Netherlands Navy to the Belgian Navy. Belgium reportedly paid $296.6 million for the Van Amstel and Van Ness, which are expected to be officially handed over in March 2007 and March 2008, respectively. The Belgian government approved the funding for the Karel Doormans in July 2005 as part of a $1.2 billion acquisition program.

The ships will be transferred in their current configurations to maintain interoperability between the two fleets under the integrated Belgian-Netherlands task group. The frigates will become the mainstay of the Belgian surface fleet, effectively delaying any new construction of surface combatants through 2016, at which time the sea service is expected to commence a new Multi-Mission Ship procurement with the first unit to be delivered in 2020.

The Karel Doormans will replace the two remaining Wielingen-class frigates, Wielingen and Westdiep, that the Belgian Navy intends to transfer to Bulgaria.

The sale of the two Karel Doormans reduces the Royal Netherlands Navy operating class to four ships — two were sold to Chile prior to the sale to Belgium — and the total frigate level to eight ships. This is two units below the 10-ship force level as stipulated under Integrated Defense Plan 2004-2013.

Japan Coast Guard Orders SAR Aircraft

The Japan Coast Guard ordered two pre-owned Saab 340B Plus search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft Dec. 8 through Saab’s Japanese agent, Mitsui Bussan Aerospace. The aircraft with SAR modifications are known as Saab 340SAR-200s and are specially configured to meet the Coast Guard’s increased maritime safety coverage.

Modifications include 360-degree scanning search radar and a forward-looking infrared system, wide observer windows, rescue equipment and life-raft drop systems, system operator consoles, expanded communication systems and a flight operations management system. The aircraft can also be configured to carry passengers or cargo.

The new aircraft will supplement two Saab 340Bs procured in 1997, and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2006. The Japan Coast Guard is expanding its maritime patrol and surveillance fleet in order to better control its territorial waters.

U.S. Sells Kuwait 12 Fast Patrol Craft

The U.S. Congress in late December approved the Foreign Military Sale of 12 Mk V-C fast interceptor craft to Kuwait. The sale includes associated equipment and services. The total value of the sale with all options will be around $175 million.

The 12 craft will be built by either VT Halter Marine of Gulfport, Miss., or U.S. Marine of New Orleans. A prime contractor is expected to be selected by the end of 2006, with the craft beginning delivery to Kuwait in late 2007 or early 2008.

The sale includes the 12 25-meter hulls, mechanical and electrical systems, 12 MLG-27 Mauser lightweight gun systems, communications and technical ground support equipment, and spare and repair parts, as well as support services.

The Kuwaiti Navy has requested the fast patrol craft in order to fill the requirement for a high-speed interceptor boat capable of providing defensive protection of Kuwaiti territorial waters. Located in these waters are various islands as well as critical offshore oil pumping and loading facilities.

All other small craft in the Kuwaiti inventory are unarmed Coast Guard patrol craft and not suited for the defense of the offshore islands and oil facilities.

Thales/DCN to Combine Naval Businesses

The French naval businesses of Thales and DCN will be combined and Thales will acquire 25 percent interest in DCN under a joint declaration signed Dec. 12.

The French minister of Defense, minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, chairman and CEO of DCN, and chairman and CEO of Thales signed the agreement.

The deal is expected to be complete by summer. It is a continuation of a process that included the formation of Armaris in 2002 and successful past cooperation between Thales and DCN on numerous French and export programs.

French PA2 Carrier Design Phase Advances

The French defense procurement agency (DGA) formally awarded DCN and Thales a “relay contract” Dec. 12 to continue the design work on the PA2 aircraft carrier project.

The design phase for the PA2 officially began Jan. 24, 2005, and focused on opportunities for cooperation between the French PA2 and the United Kingdom’s Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) program. Conclusions of the initial phase determined that, with limited tailoring, the CVF design could meet the needs of the French Navy.

This relay contract, worth $24.1 million, will allow the PA2 team to proceed with detailed preliminary design work of a tailored aircraft carrier utilizing the CVF hull. These designs will include a flat flight deck as well as a catapult launch system and arresting gear for the French Navy’s conventional takeoff and landing Super Etendard, Rafale M and E-2C fixed wing aircraft.

The integrated prime contract office for the PA2, consisting of DCN and Thales, will conduct the design work that is scheduled to conclude with the start of the production phase in late 2006. Based on this timeline, it is anticipated that the PA2 will be commissioned around 2014.

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