Russian Patrol Vessel, Frigate Projects Move Forward

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

The Russian Navy issued a Request for Proposal (RfP) Feb. 28 for the construction of 10-20 frigates in the 4,000-ton range. The original RfP was to be issued in early 2002; however, budgetary constrictions, as well as a halt on new projects, delayed the decision.

Bidding is expected to be very limited and was supposed to end by April 1, with a decision by the end of the year in order for construction to move forward.

Currently, two shipyards are considered the frontrunners for the Frigate Dozorny program: Baltic Zavod — which has no major construction projects under way — and Severnaya Verf, which currently is building the Steregushchy-class frigate.

There are still hurdles to cross for the project. Foremost is the budgetary constraint. Experts in Russia have stated that the Russian Navy has “used all [its] money building atomic submarines,” although it is also building the smaller Steregushchy (2,000-ton) frigates and Scorpion-class fast-attack craft.

In the event only 10 units of the proposed Frigate Dozorny are built at a cost of around $200 million each, this would still equate to more than $2 billion for the entire project. Should the project move forward as envisioned, the first unit should launch by the end of 2006 with commissioning by mid-2007.

The RfP was issued three days after the Almaz Shipbuilding Co. laid the keel for a new class of patrol craft that will be used by the Russian Federal Border Guard Service. The new class, known as the Astrakhan and designated Project 21630, will be slightly larger than the Project 10410 Svetlyak class (around 500 tons) and be used to patrol Russia’s 200-mile Economic Exclusion Zone.

Designed by Zelenodolsk KB, the first production unit, Kaspiysk, will likely be commissioned by June 2006. An estimated class size of six is anticipated with two units commissioning approximately every 14 months for the next three years.

Bulgaria OKs Purchase Of Belgian Navy Frigate

The Bulgarian government approved a $30.6 million deal March 17 to buy the Belgian Navy’s Wielingen-class frigate BNS Wandelaar. A preliminary agreement had been worked out during a December 2004 visit by Belgium’s Minister of Defense and Chief of the Navy to Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is continuing the process of complying with NATO standards by upgrading its former Soviet bloc Navy to more modern NATO vessels. The Bulgarian Navy plans to modernize the ship for an additional $46.6 million, upgrading radar, weapon and communication systems on board.

The Wandelaar is expected to be transferred to the Bulgarian Navy by the end of 2005, at which time modernization and upgrades will begin in Bulgaria.

New Air Cushion Vehicle Unveiled in Singapore

In late March, Singapore Technologies Marine unveiled its largest air cushion vehicle (ACV) built to date. Bearing the hull number ACV-1, the new hovercraft is approximately 147.6 feet in length and is fitted with a drive-through cargo deck with hydraulically operated bow and stern ramps.

Based on its size, the military lift capacity of ACV-1 would be in the 100- to 130-ton range including two main battle tanks or six armored personnel carriers. ACV-1 will be able to travel at high speeds while ferrying large numbers of troops and equipment onto the beach and over submerged rocks and other obstacles.

This capability has become increasingly more important since the recent tsunami relief effort in which engineers spent hours removing logs and debris before conventional landing craft could be employed.

Iraqi Naval Force Continues to Expand

The Iraqi Navy signed a $15 million contract Feb. 15 for the construction of six new patrol craft. Named the Al Uboor class, each unit will cost approximately $2.5 million. They are being constructed in Baghdad by the Iraqis.

The first unit is scheduled to be in service by August, with the sixth and final unit delivered by August 2006. Construction of these vessels had actually begun before Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the new construction contract called for a revised design.

Funded by the Interim Iraqi Government’s 2005 defense budget, the new vessels will patrol Iraqi territorial waters, with an emphasis on counter-insurgency operations and protection of Iraqi oil platforms. The addition of these units follows the delivery of five Taiwanese-built 28-meter patrol boats in the first quarter of 2004.

Portugal Buys Five P-3s From Netherlands Navy

The Portuguese Navy signed a contract Feb. 16 worth $108 million for the procurement of five Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft from the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNlN). This transaction completes the sale all 13 P-3C airframes that were in service with the RNlN through the end of 2004.

In December 2003, the Dutch Parliament decided that the Netherlands would depart the long-range maritime surveillance business. By early 2004, the German Navy decided to procure up to eight of the P-3s, with Portugal taking over the remaining five.

Two of the P-3s are fully equipped for antisubmarine warfare and will conduct naval missions with the three remaining lesser-equipped units being utilized for Coast Guard-type missions. The Portuguese government is planning to perform an upgrade to the P-3 force beginning in 2008. The addition of these five aircraft will bring the Portuguese Navy’s total to 11 P-3s in service.

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