Spanish Approve New Submarine Program

By AMI INTERNATIONAL

On Sept. 5, 2003, the Ministers Council of Spain approved the construction of four submarines of the S 80 class. As many as eight submarines could be built, in two batches of four boats each. Batch I was scheduled to start construction in early 2004; now that the work has been approved, a contract is anticipated by the end of 2003 or early 2004. All four units will be built at Spain's IZAR Construcciones Navales in Cartegena, with commissioning dates scheduled from 2007 through 2010. If the Spanish Navy maintains its eight-unit submarine force and Batch II is built, a construction contract could be awarded by 2008, with commissioning from 2012 through 2015.

The boats will be approximately 71 meters in length with a displacement of 2,345 tons. These dimensions are significantly greater than those of the Scorpene submarine. The S80 boats are to be built entirely in Spain, whereas Scorpene was a joint Franco-Spanish project. A separate decision on the S 80's combat management system is forthcoming, with Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Kongsberg and Atlas Elektronik vying for the contract. Sonar systems would fall under a separate contract.

Britain, Denmark, and Spain Could Undergo Significant Force Changes

A new white paper due at the end of 2003 could spell out further reductions to the armed forces of Denmark, Spain, and the United Kingdom. There are indications that the British Royal Navy's surface and subsurface forces could be the target of possible cuts, which eventually will affect several programs currently planned. The surface combatant force could be cut from 31 units to 28 units, possibly as low as 26 total units. Reductions could also hit the mine-countermeasure and submarine forces.

Britain's three Type 42 Batch I destroyers could be withdrawn from service, if the force structure goal is set at 28. Two Type 23 frigates could also be decommissioned if the goal is 26 vessels. Additionally, three of Britain's Hunt-class mine-warfare ships could be withdrawn from service under the new plan, reducing the force from its current 22 units to 19. Britain's strategic submarine forces may remain intact; however, the attack submarine force could be reduced from its current 12 units to seven. To meet this goal, the Royal Navy may decommission all five of the Swiftsure-class boats. These possible force reductions could curtail or delay several acquisition programs, including the Type 45 destroyer as well as the follow-on Future Surface Combatant project.

The Danish defense minister has recommended the reorganization of his nation's forces with personnel cuts, operational structural changes, and an emphasis on building a minimum deployable force, as a result of Denmark's transformation from a territorial defense structure to an expeditionary force. A final version of the force structure recommendations could be approved by Denmark's parliament before the end of the year. The Danish Navy's contribution to deployable force structure includes one flexible support ship and one inspection ship, capable of carrying helicopters. The deployable element of the Danish Navy would also require one patrol ship with a helicopter; two Flyvefisken-class patrol ships in a combat role at a high level of preparedness and one on a standby; two additional Flyvefisken-class patrol ships in a minesweeper role at a high level of preparedness; one submarine at a high level of preparedness; and, on occasion, a second submarine. Transport capacity is expected to come from the use of chartered ships.

In Spain, major shipbuilding programs are expected to continue, although, as in other NATO countries, a review of fleet size is ongoing. The Spanish government is discussing a possible reduction in the number of surface combatants from 16 units to 12. The reduction would be accomplished through a combination of measures. First, it would include the decommissioning of the four remaining Descubierta-class frigates. The second step would include the possible cancellation or modification of the F-110 frigate program. Third, the Spanish Navy could build two additional F-100 Alvaro de Bazan-class destroyers.

Turkey Delays Naval Reconnaissance Aircraft Program

Early in August 2003, Turkey moved back the submission date of the Naval Reconnaissance Aircraft Program, also known as the Meltem-3 project, from Aug. 4 to the end of September 2003. The submission date is for the original request for proposal made available in May 2003 for up to 10 maritime patrol aircraft for the Turkish Navy. The 10 new aircraft would supplement that Navy's six EADS-CASA CN-235 D/K fixed-wing aircraft. The Naval Reconnaissance Aircraft program started in August 2002, when the Turkish government issued a request for information to 10 international bidders for the procurement of 10 aircraft. The bidders were Airbus, Antonov, Dassault, Boeing, Bombardier, EADS-CASA, EADS-ATR, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. A decision on the preferred supplier will be made in 2004. The Turkish Navy anticipates spending as much as $250 million for the 10 patrol planes. Upon completion of this aircraft order, the Turkish Navy probably will order an additional 16 aircraft, as it has a requirement for 32 total maritime patrol planes.

Singapore Solicits Final Offers For Naval Helicopter

In late August 2003, the Singaporean Navy requested that the three bidders in its naval helicopter program submit their final offers so a decision on a preferred supplier could be made by early 2004. Proposals were initially submitted in late 2002 following a request for proposals released early that year for six naval helicopters, with an option for two additional units. The three bidders who responded were Eurocopter with its AS532, Sikorsky with its variant of the S-70, and the NH Industries consortium with the NH90 helicopter.

The Singaporean Navy expects to announce the preferred supplier next year, followed by the award of a contract in mid-2004. The six aircraft, with an option for two additional units, would be operated from the Singaporean Navy's six Project Delta-class frigates.

India Interested in the P-3 Orion

The Indian Navy is considering the procurement of some U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft to fulfill long-range maritime patrol duties. In 2002, following the suspension of the U.S. embargo against India, the Indian government presented to the United States a wish list for weapons systems. One of them was the long-range reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft, the P-3 Orion. In September 2003, the Indian Navy reportedly received a detailed presentation of the P-3's capabilities as one of its options to modernize its maritime patrol aircraft, consisting of several Russian-built IL-38s, some of which have been lost in recent years due to accidents.

No contract has yet been signed between India and the United States concerning the procurement of P-3s, although the United States anticipates a government-to-government agreement in the near future. India maintains that it would like to procure at least eight used P-3 aircraft from the U.S. Navy at a cost of $80 million, with an option for at least 10 additional units at a later date.

First New Frigate Heads To South Africa

On Sept. 25, 2003, the first of four units of a new class of frigate was turned over to the South African Navy. On Oct. 2, 2003, the ship began its voyage to Simons Town, South Africa. The SAS Amatola, under the command of a South African crew, is departing Germany after the completion of its final acceptance trials.

The Amatola, built at Germany's Blohm+Voss yard and based on the MEKO 200 frigate design, will begin its final fitting out upon arrival in South Africa. An industrial consortium of Thales Naval France and African Defense Systems will complete the work.

The new frigates will receive the South African Kentron Umkhonto surface-to-air missile system, the LIW 35mm dual-purpose gun, as well as the Reutech RTS-6400 fire control radars and the Grintek Avitronics electronic warfare suite. Three additional units of the class are expected to be delivered to the South African Navy by mid-2004 with prospective commissioning dates through the end of 2005.

Indonesia Outlines Naval Upgrade Plans

Indonesian press reports from Sept. 19, 2003, indicate that the Indonesian Navy plans to upgrade its aging fleet. The sea service may spend approximately $1.95 billion between 2005 and 2013 on new programs to modernize the fleet. The press reports state that the Indonesian Navy will buy at least two submarines, four guided missile destroyers, and two minesweepers.

Indonesia is likely to continue to rely on used equipment and platforms on the international market for its submarines and major surface combatants. Several options will become available from Europe and Asia over the next several years that could fulfill its immediate requirements for submarines, destroyers, and minesweepers. For example, Indonesia may acquire two submarines from South Korea by 2008. If this happens, Indonesia could take possession of two of the South Korean Navy's Type 209s as they are replaced by the Type 214s, of which the first two units are scheduled to commission in 2007 and 2008.

As potential sources for Indonesia's requirements, several European countries including Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom continue to decommission major surface combatants as well as minesweepers. Those will be available on the international market over the next five years, and the Indonesian Navy may attempt to purchase some of these units.

Lifting of Sanctions Reveals Opportunities in Libya

In early September 2003, the United Nations lifted international sanctions on Libya that had been in place since 1992. Of the five permanent Security Council members, three voted in favor of the removal of the sanctions with the United States and France abstaining. The sanctions placed against Libya were in response to that nation's support for terrorist organizations over the previous two decades.

The lifting of sanctions against Libya essentially welcomes the country back into the world of nations and opens the prospect for unfettered economic and trade relations with all nations of the world with the exception of the United States, which will retain its sanctions under the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act. The lifting of sanctions also clears the way for the sale of military systems to Libya opening up the country to future business opportunities.

Italy may be the first nation to do business in Libya. In July 2003 the former colonial power signed a security cooperation agreement to help stem the flow of illegal immigrations from North Africa to Southern Europe. Under that agreement, both Italy and Libya will cooperate in joint patrols, the sharing of intelligence information and the sale of Italian security systems to Libya. Libya, with a small force of submarines, corvettes, and fast attack craft is in dire need of newer vessels and coastal defense systems to replace the primarily Russian-built navy of the 1960s and 1970s. n

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