Security Vessel News Roundup | March 14 – Russian hospital ship, Canada's future destroyers and more
Deliveries include new patrol boats for the Iraqi defence ministry and a Japanese minesweeper. Work meanwhile continues on naval landing barges for Chile, a Russian floating hospital, and a patrol vessel for Nigeria, as the Canadian and Dutch Governments place orders for their respective armed forces.
Japan's fourth Awaji-class minesweeper commissioned into service
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned a new mine countermeasures (MCM) vessel into service in a ceremony in Yokohama City on Wednesday, March 12.
JS Nomi, which has been named after two islands in Hiroshima Bay, is the fourth MCM vessel in the Awaji-class. Construction of the vessel was undertaken by Japan Marine United.
Dutch Navy and Army order 13 fast RIB patrol boats
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is purchasing 13 fast patrol boats to replace the current Frisc interception and special forces craft.
De Haas Shipyards in Rotterdam has won the order to build the so-called "future fast interceptors" (FFI). The contracts were signed on Monday.
New shallow-draught hospital ship under construction in Russia
Construction is underway on a new hospital ship that will serve the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug in west-central Russia.
Classed by the Russian Classification Society (RKO), the vessel will have a length of 65 metres, a beam of 10.8 metres, a draught of only 1.3 metres, a depth of 3.2 metres, a displacement of 650 tonnes, and space for 12 crewmembers, 25 medical personnel and up to 50 patients.
Construction begins on new landing barges for Chilean Navy
Chilean shipyard Asenav has begun construction of new landing barges for the Chilean Navy.
The vessels will be capable of transporting heavy cargo and wheeled vehicles between larger navy vessels and unprepared beaches.
The barges will be deployed aboard a new class of multi-purpose amphibious transport ships being built for the navy.
Canadian Government selects Nova Scotia shipyard to build new destroyers
The Canadian Government has awarded Irving Shipbuilding of Nova Scotia a contract for the construction of three River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.
With an initial value of CA$8 billion (US$6 billion) intended to fund the first six years of construction, the contract supports the construction and delivery of the initial three ships as well as the development and delivery of necessary training, spares, and maintenance products required to operate and support the ships in service.
Three new patrol boats for Iraqi Ministry of Defense enter service
Three newbuild patrol boats, built by ENM Korea in partnership with Turkey's Ares Shipyard for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, have officially entered service.
The coast guard boats each feature an aluminium hull, a top speed of 30 knots, and the capacity to transport a 12-member special operations team along with their full equipment and specialised gear.
Future Nigerian Navy patrol vessel completes initial sea trials
Turkey's Dearsan Shipyard has completed conducting the initial sea trials of the second of two new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) that the company is building for the Nigerian Navy.
The OPV has a steel hull, an aluminium superstructure, a length of 76 metres, a beam of 11 metres, a displacement of 1,100 tonnes, a top speed of 28 knots, and space for up to 43 crewmembers. Armament will include 76mm and 40mm naval guns, four 12.7mm machine guns with two on stabilised weapon mounts, and surface-to-air missiles.
Philippine Navy chief confirms April delivery for South Korean-built corvette
The Philippine Navy will take delivery of the first of two new corvettes in early April following completion in South Korea, local newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.
Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in-Command, said earlier this week that the formal handover of the future BRP Miguel Malvar will occur on the same day that sister ship BRP Diego Silang will be launched into the water for the first time.
