Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | August 18 – French Navy’s newest submarine, Indonesian Navy minehunters and more

The Indonesian Navy commissions two surface ships into service while the French Navy acquires its newest nuclear-powered submarine. A future US Navy destroyer is launched into the water for the first time as construction of the lead ship of a new class of frigate for the Spanish Navy enters the next major phase.

Two Indonesian Navy mine countermeasures vessels commissioned into service

The Indonesian Navy commissioned two new mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels into service in a ceremony on Monday, August 14.

KRI Pulau Fani and KRI Pulau Fanildo were built by German shipyard Abeking and Rasmussen as modified variants of the Frankenthal-class MCM vessels operated by the German Navy.

The ships’ hulls are made from non-magnetised steel that is also capable of withstanding fire damage. Space is available on each vessel for unmanned MCM vehicles and their associated equipment.

French Navy takes delivery of second Barracuda-class submarine

The French Navy has taken delivery of its second Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, the French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed earlier this month.

Duguay-Trouin is named in honour of René Duguay-Trouin, an 18th century French naval officer and privateer.

Measuring nearly 100 metres long and capable of a maximum submerged speed of over 25 knots, the submarine will be used for anti-surface warfare, strike warfare, and special operations support missions. Armament will include torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, land attack cruise missiles, and mines.

Duguay-Trouin was designed and built by French defence company the Naval Group.

Future US Navy destroyer Ted Stevens floated out

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division has launched the future USS Ted Stevens, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the US Navy.

DDG-128 will be a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The Flight III upgrade is centered on the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporates upgrades to the electrical power and cooling capacity.

The 78th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is named for the late US Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska. Stevens was the longest-serving Republican US Senator in history at the time he left office and was the third senator to hold the title of president pro tempore emeritus.

Keel laid for future Spanish Navy frigate

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has laid the keel of the first F110-class frigate of the Spanish Navy.

Navantia expects that the ship will be launched in 2025 and then delivered to the navy in 2028. The four remaining ships in the class will be handed over in 12-month intervals until 2023.

The F110-class ships will be used for anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare missions.