Tenix Defense is Picked for New Zealand’s Project Protector

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

Tenix Defense Systems of Australia was selected April 5 for New Zealand’s Project Protector. The $500 million modernization program for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) is expected to upgrade the sea service to meet the goals of New Zealand’s 2001 white paper, “A Sustainable Defense Force Matched to New Zealand’s Needs.”

RNZN requirements as envisioned by the white-paper call for one new multirole vessel (MRV), up to three helicopter-capable offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and five inshore patrol vessels (IPVs). The first vessel to be delivered under the program is the MRV, which has a spending cap of $100 million.

Tenix has commenced contract negotiations with the New Zealand government to finalize options for fleet composition of all three types of vessels under Project Protector and clarify technical matters in the case of the MRV. Negotiations may finish by the end of year, after which the New Zealand Minister of Defense will take the final proposal to the Cabinet for approval.

Construction on the MRV will begin immediately following approval by Parliament. The new vessel is to replace the Leander-class frigate HMNZS Canterbury presently scheduled to be decommissioned in 2005. However, the MRV most likely will not be commissioned until late 2006 or early 2007 delaying the retirement of the Canterbury.

Construction contracts for the second phase of the program, the OPV, will probably be issued in 2006 for up to three new units, and the phase three contract for five IPVs by 2006. All deliveries under Project Protector are expected by 2010.

Chile Seeks Proposals For Offshore Patrol Vessels

Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada (ASMAR) was expected to issue a request for proposal (RFP) May 18 for the construction of two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Armada de Chile, including the ship design package and production license. This new project is being called Proyecto Danubio IV.

In order to enhance interest, ASMAR has indicated that Argentina and Peru will be following the development of this program and may join the project as part of a combined effort to develop and construct the OPV.

Proposals are expected by ASMAR July 8. A source could be selected by Sept. 27. The target date for contract award is Dec. 10.

Although this project appears to be well organized with firm schedules, the target budget is only $24 million per unit for construction as well as logistical support. The possible additional orders from Argentina and Peru, as well as the construction at ASMAR, however, will alleviate some of the funding strain.

Proyecto Danubio IV calls for an OPV with the following characteristics:

Maximum speed: 20-plus knots.
Range: 7,000 nautical miles at economy speed.
Seakeeping: Patrol in sea state (SS) 5, tow a same-size vessel in SS 4 and conduct helicopter operations in SS 3.
Facilities for landing and refueling a medium-size helicopter.
Fitted for one Bofors Defense 40mm Mk3 gun.
Complement: 34 crew plus 20 passengers.

Finland Plans to Replace Mine Countermeasure Vessels

The Finnish Navy is planning to issue a request for proposal July 30 for the procurement of three mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV) as well as a Mine Warfare Data Center.

With the sea-lanes of primary military and commercial importance, Finland has always maintained an extensive force of mine layers as well as mine sweepers. However, its six Kuha-class inshore mine sweepers are now 30 years old and in need of replacement, even though they were upgraded in the late 1990s.

The new MCMVs will probably be around 45 meters in length, displace 400 tons and be constructed of glass-reinforced plastic. They will be equipped with a full range of acoustic, magnetic and mechanical sweeps, all of which will probably be supplied by Finnish companies, including Patria Finavitec and Elesco Oy. They also will likely feature the Saab Double Eagle remotely operated vehicle.

Portuguese Navy Inks Deal For Type-209 Submarines

After six years of debate, evaluation and negotiation, the Portuguese Navy (PN) signed a construction contract with the German Submarine Consortium (GSC) for two Type-209 submarines April 21, with an option for a third.

The contract is worth $911 million to GSC and features $1.42 billion in offsets for Portuguese industry. Specific offset arrangements include the provisions for an LPD design to meet the PN’s specifications, on which the GSC is teamed with Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.

The submarines are tailored for the PN and include air independent propulsion and other features of the later U214 design. The submarines are scheduled for commissioning in 2009 and 2010. The contract signing follows the Nov. 6 selection of GSC as the preferred builder for the program.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) criticized the contract following its signing, saying it believes Portugal has no need for a submarine force. Portuguese officials, however, maintain that Portugal, although part of NATO, still has its own goals to achieve and are moving forward with the program.

First Greek Type 214 Submarine is Launched

The first Greek Katsonis- (Type 214) class submarine was launched April 22 from the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard in Kiel, Germany. As the first fuel cell submarine for export, the Papanikolis will undergo sea trials prior to its commissioning in late 2005. The Papanikolis is the first of four Type 214s that will be procured by the Greek Navy. The first four units of the class are under contract, with the first unit built in Germany and the follow-on three units to be built at HDW’s subsidiary, Hellenic Shipyard in Greece. All four units are scheduled to be commissioned by 2009.

A second batch of four units could be ordered by 2008 if the Greek Navy decides to maintain an eight-unit submarine force. The current submarine force consists of eight Glavkos-class submarines that were commissioned from 1971 through 1980.

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