Security Vessel News Roundup | December 19 – Dutch, Canadian and Portuguese naval support ships, Saudi and Israeli corvettes and more
A new patrol ship has been delivered to the Pakistan Navy while construction continues on naval support ships for Canada and the Netherlands and an anti-submarine warfare vessel for India. Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program enters an important stage as two Middle Eastern navy's place orders for additional surface combatants.
Keel laid for new shallow-water anti-submarine craft for Indian Navy
India's Cochin Shipyard has laid the keel of a new surface combatant slated for the Indian Navy.
The vessel will be one of a planned eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASWSWC). All vessels in the order are scheduled to be delivered to the navy within 90 months of the awarding of the newbuilding contract in April 2019.
Each ASWSWC will have a crew of 57 and a speed of 25 knots. In addition to performing anti-submarine warfare missions in coastal waters, the vessels will also be used for search and rescue (SAR) and minelaying operations.
French Navy selects local builder for new commando boats
The French Navy has selected French boatbuilder Zodiac Milpro for the construction of new transport boats for operation by the navy's Maritime Force of Marines and Commandos (Force maritime des fusiliers marins et commandos; FORFUSCO).
Zodiac Milpro will build 17 examples of the eight-metre boats, which will replace the FORFUSCO's earlier craft that have been in service since the 1990s.
The new FORFUSCO boats will be used for a range of missions including counter-piracy and counter-narcotics trafficking.
New offshore patrol vessel delivered to Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy recently took delivery of the final one of four Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
Like its earlier sister PNS Hunain, PNS Yamama was built as a multi-purpose surface combatant that is also equipped to carry a helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). The 98-metre-long OPV also has deck space for two 20-foot containers housing mission-specific equipment modules.
Portuguese Navy's future logistics ships to be built in Turkey
The Portuguese Navy and Turkish defence technology company STM have entered into agreements for the construction of two new replenishment vessels.
The two vessels, which have been classified as auxiliary oiler replenisher and logistics ships, will each have an LOA of 137 metres, a displacement of 11,000 tonnes, a top speed of 18 knots, a range of 14,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots, and space for 100 crewmembers and other personnel. The vessels will be of modular design to permit installation of additional sensor and weapons packages including those for defending against airborne threats.
Australian government, industry partners reach new agreement on AUKUS submarines
The Australian and UK Governments have announced an agreement between the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and industry partners that will support the delivery of the SSN AUKUS fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
The ASA, BAE Systems and ASC have signed a Tasking Statement, a contractual agreement that supports the joint development of build strategy, supply chain management plans and a workforce development strategy.
Israeli government awards US$780 million corvette deal to local builder
The Israeli Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded Israel Shipyards a contract worth approximately US$780 million for the construction of new corvettes for the Israeli Navy.
The new class of vessels will be named Reshef after the Hebrew translation of "flame." The corvettes will be equipped with indigenously produced combat systems and will be used to assist in protecting Israel's exclusive economic zone as well as offshore oil and gas facilities within Israel's territorial waters.
Sea trials begin for Canadian Coast Guard's newest rescue boat
Quebec shipyard Chantier Naval Forillon (CNF) has begun conducting sea trials of a new search and rescue (SAR) boat slated for the Canadian Coast Guard.
CCGS Cascumpec Bay belongs to a series of 20 vessels built for the coast guard by CNF and Hike Metal Products of Ontario.
Named after Cascumpec Bay off Prince Edward Island, the aluminium-hulled SAR boat was built to a design by naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) in compliance to Lloyd's Register's Special Service Craft rules. The RAL design is itself an improved variant of the Severn-class lifeboats operated by the UK's Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Final outfitting to commence on Royal Netherlands Navy’s future support ship
A new combat support ship (CSS) ordered by the Royal Netherlands Navy has arrived in the Netherlands for final outfitting following the completion of its sea trials.
Once completed, the nearly 180-metre-long HNLMS Den Helder will have a 75-person standard crew and can take an additional 85 people on board.
The vessel named after the Royal Netherlands Navy's main base will operate alongside the joint support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman. The newer support vessel is also designed to operate worldwide and under high threat, protected by frigates, and may also be used in counter-narcotics missions as well as emergency response.
Future Royal Canadian Navy support ship formally named
The Royal Canadian Navy's future joint support ship was christened and launched in a ceremony at Seaspan Shipyards' facilities on Friday, December 13.
The future HMCS Protecteur is the fifth ship designed, built, and launched by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Seaspan said that it will be the longest naval vessel ever constructed in Canada at 173 metres.
Saudi Arabia orders additional corvettes from Spanish builder
The Saudi Arabia government, through the Ministry of Defence, has entered into an agreement with Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia for the supply of three additional Avante 2200 corvettes, identical to the units already in service for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
Construction of the first unit will begin this year and the last vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028. Navantia will be responsible for the delivery of the first unit in Spain and will finaliae the second and third units in Saudi Arabia for the installation, integration and trials of the Hazem Combat System to be done by SAMINavantia, similar to the works carried out on the fourth and fifth units of the first contract.
Thai shipbuilder Marsun wins multi-vessel order from Oman Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence of Oman signed a contract Tuesday with Thai shipbuilder Marsun Public Company to purchase several vessels, after direct intervention in the matter by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Prime Minister of Oman.
The result of recent development and modernisation plans of the ministry and the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), the order aims to boost the capabilities of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO).
