SEA POWER INTERNATIONAL

Iraqi Coastal Defense Force Takes Shape Around Patrol Boats

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

The new Iraqi coastal defense force is beginning to take shape, with impending deliveries of five patrol boats as well as continuing training initiatives.

Five Taiwanese-built patrol boats, made available by the Taiwanese maritime security police, are to be delivered to Iraq early this year. The vessels are undergoing refurbishment in Kuwait. The patrol vessels are 92 feet in length and displace 140 tons. These vessels will be equipped with navigation radar and small-caliber machine guns for self-defense. They will be capable of performing Iraqi coastal defense missions out to three nautical miles.

Training for up to 125 new naval personnel is taking place in the Port of Um Qasr under the leadership of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The sea services of all three nations also will be involved in the acceptance of the five patrol vessels and future training in maritime operations, leadership as well as general seamanship.

The new Iraqi coastal defense force also is planning the next step in its development — extending its coastal patrol coverage out to 12 nautical miles — which will require larger patrol vessels capable of long endurance patrols. This development will provide future business opportunities in the arena of patrol boat manufacturing, as well as medium- and small-caliber guns and navigational radars.

Chilean Navy Cancels Proyecto Fragata Program

The Chilean Navy has officially canceled its Proyecto Fragata program in favor of buying four used frigates from the Netherlands, according to Adm. Cristián Gantes Young, the program’s director. The $960 million procurement of three new frigates will not proceed.

Although details of the Netherlands-Chile transfer are not yet solidified, the Chilean Navy intends to procure two Jacob Van Heemskerck-class frigates, as well as two units of the Karel Doorman class. All four units are to be decommissioned from the Royal Netherlands Navy starting this year and running through 2006.

India, Russian Federation Complete Carrier Deal

On Jan. 24, Russia and India completed a $1.5 billion agreement for transfer of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, a Kiev-class design, to the Indian Navy.

The contract includes a complete refit prior to transfer, after-sale services, a supply of spare parts, and an air wing of 28 MiG-29K fighters and six Kamov Ka-28 and Ka-31 helicopters.

The contract was among the business conducted during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov’s visit to India in January. The aircraft carrier will be delivered to India in 2008, following overhaul in Russia. The vessel is expected to replace the Indian carrier Viraat.

The Gorshkov could be the lone carrier in Indian naval service until 2012, when the first of three new Vikrant-class aircraft carriers, built under the Indian Navy’s air-defense ship program, is expected to enter service. The Gorshkov probably will decommission after 2020, when the final Vikrant-class vessel enters service.

Britain Launches New Offshore Patrol Boat Program

Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans a new class of offshore patrol vessels to replace two Castle-class vessels that the Royal Navy rotates to the Falkland Islands for patrol duty. The MoD may lease two offshore patrol vessels as opposed to purchasing them. According to British government, the MoD believes that a lease of one or two new offshore patrol vessels will provide the same capability as the HMS Leeds and HMS Dumbarton, which have been in service since 1981 and 1982, at a lower life-cycle cost.

Requirements developed by the minor warships auxiliaries and boats integrated project team state that the “replacement warship(s) should be operationally versatile and capable of worldwide deployment, in all weather conditions, in order to conduct maritime patrol, fishery protection duties and related military tasks.”

Tenders for the new vessels will be due by April, with a construction contract award expected by the end of the year. Current plans call for a seven-year lease beginning in mid-2006 and ending in 2012. The MoD would like to lease two vessels with a total cost not to exceed the current five-year operational costs of the Castle-class vessels. The current costs of maintaining and operating the two Castle-class vessels is estimated at $87.7 million over a five-year period.

China Enhances Fast-Attack Craft Force

China’s Peoples Liberation Army Navy plans two additional classes of fast-attack craft, according to sources. Concerned over the growing number and sophistication of Taiwan’s fast-attack craft force, China continues its program of replacing its own obsolescent force.

The Chinese Navy is starting two indigenous fast-attack craft programs while at the same time considering the acquisition of Russian-built fast-attack craft. Among the indigenous designs is a small hydrofoil missile boat with a top speed of 50 knots, armed with a 30mm gun and four YJ7-1 or four YJ8-1 surface-to-surface missiles. This new missile boat will complement the China Cat-class 20-ton missile boat developed for use in the Middle East, but also will be built for Chinese naval service.

China’s two missile craft probably will complement the Russian Molniya-class fast-attack craft that are to be procured. China also is involved in the Houxin-class fast-attack craft program, which has delivered 16 vessels; and the Houjan-class program, which has delivered at least 10 units.

Assuming the current force structure of 150 missile- and gun-equipped fast-attack craft, the Chinese Navy’s future force could include: 30 Houxin-class; 30 Houjan-class; 30 50-ton-class; 30 China Cat-class; and 30 Molniya-class craft.

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