By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.
Schelde Naval Shipbuilding reportedly will receive the order for all five vessels to be built under the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and the Joint Logistics Support Ship (JLSS) programs. Sources indicate that the contracts, which will be worth an estimated $646.2 million in total, will be awarded in 2007.
The JLSS requirement is for one unit to replace the Zuiderkruis in 2012. The JLSS is expected to combine transport, tanker and helicopter support capabilities in one hull. Specific requirements call for roll-on/roll-off capability with a heavy crane. The vessel is expected to transport Leopard II tanks and PZH-2000 howitzers.
Sources indicate that a construction contract for the four OPVs will be completed by mid-2007, with the first unit entering service in 2009 and the final unit in 2011. The OPVs will have limited anti-air, antisurface and antisubmarine warfare capabilities. They also will be fitted with a flight deck and hangar to support one NH-90 helicopter.
New Generation Frigate Program Begins for Italy
The Italian Ministry of Defense has announced that the Organization Conjointe de Cooperation en Matiere d’Armament awarded Armaris of France and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali of Italy a contract amendment that authorizes the start of the development and construction of the first two Italian ships of the New Generation Frigate (NGF).
This follows the November 2005 announcement that the French and Italian governments had signed a memorandum of understanding to officially begin the French/Italian multipurpose frigate program that will deliver up to 27 frigates to the French and Italian navies. France will receive 17 of the vessels and Italy the remaining 10 through 2018.
The NGF will be approximately 456 feet in length, and have a beam of 62.3 feet. Displacing approximately 5,000 tons, the ship will be capable of attaining 27 knots.
Oman Orders High-Speed Ferries From Austal
Oman has ordered two 65-meter multipurpose high-speed ferries from Austal of Australia. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2007 and 2008. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The aluminum catamaran-hulled passenger ferries were ordered as part of an expanded marine transport and security network for the northern part of the Sultanate. The new ferries will be used primarily as tourist transports but will have a backup role for the Royal Navy of Oman.
The sea service has a standing requirement for a modern high-speed troop transport vessel (HST) to rapidly move ground troops from the mainland to the northern bases on the Strait of Hormuz. The government of Oman decided to procure high-speed ferries that are adaptable to civilian and military roles in order to reduce overall government costs rather than utilize more mission-specific platforms for different roles.
Algerian Navy to Buy Russian Submarines
The Algerian National Navy (ANN) has agreed to procure two Kilo-class submarines from Russia for an estimated $400 million. The deal between the ANN and Russia’s Admiralty Shipyard was scheduled to be concluded by the end of June. The first submarine will begin construction by the end of 2006 followed by the second unit in 2007.
Part of the agreement includes the modernization of the two Kilo-class submarines currently in service with the ANN. The submarine agreement followed an earlier announcement by ANN Cmdr. Gen. Malek Necib that the sea service would soon begin acquiring new equipment for its maritime force (including frigates, corvettes and submarines) as well as the modernization of existing units.
UAE Coast Guard Eyes New Patrol Boats
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has announced it is in advanced talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Coast Guard on a contract for the construction of 12 fast patrol boats. The project, based on the reported size of the vessel (111.5 feet), has an estimated value of $240 million.
The vessels are to be constructed from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) and will be assembled at ADSB’s new 4.6-square-kilometer facility that was jointly constructed with VT Halmatic of the United Kingdom. This new facility has the capacity to build GRP vessels up to 196.8 feet in length.
Should the UAE Coast Guard sign a construction contract by the end of 2006, the first unit could be commissioned by early 2008 with all units being completed by 2018.
AMI International Inc., Bremerton, Wash., is an international consulting and naval intelligence services company located on the web at www.amiinter.com.
