NNS Thunder F90
Good people,
Beegeagle’s Blog, by deliberate design, opted to concentrate on the poorly-reported Nigerian defence,security and intelligence circuit PRIMARILY and the wider subregional and continental scenes in general.
However, the fact of having subscribers to this blog on all continents implies that we have to dedicate this one thread to DAILY REPORTS on developments in the defence, security and intelligence sectors.
Hopefully, it would also provide a roadmap for Nigerian and African defence and security operatives at a time when major counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations are underway in Nigeria, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Somalia(involving the armies of Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Kenya).
This thread promises to be a LONG-RUNNING one and we shall endeavour to make it very interesting – with systems information, equipment data, colourful photos, battlefield updates and relevant information from all continents uploaded daily. Tis our own attempt at blog globalisation.
Do TAKE NOTE of the thread title and access this page as often as possible, so you stay updated on global defence, security and intelligence developments. Hopefully, we shall get to take care of as many interests as possible.
After all, tis ONE world…..
EGYPT
PHOTO
Ex-Norwegian missile craft KNM Geir P998..now Egyptian-owned
In commission: 1977-2001, 2001-2008(Super-Hauk)
Completed: 14
Retired: 14
Type: Patrol boat and MTB
Displacement: 120 tons standard, 160 tons full load
Length: 36.5 m (120 ft)
Beam: 6.2 m (20 ft)
Draught: 1.8 m (5.9 ft)
Draft: 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Propulsion: 2 x MTU 16V 538 TB92 diesels; 2 shafts, 6,820 hp
(m), 5 ‘‘MW‘‘
Speed: 32 knots (59 km/h)
Range: 440 mi (710 km) at 30 knots (56 km/h)
Complement:
24 (including 6 officers)
Surface search/navigation;
2 x Litton radars (I-band)
Weapons control;
Kongsberg MSI-80S or Sagem VIGY-20 optronic director
Combat data systems;
DCN SENIT 2000 (from late
2001) and Link 11 Others; EO-sensor
Armament:
6 x Mk 2 Penguin SSMs,
Twin Simbad launcher for
Matra Sadral and Manpad SAMs,
1 x Bofors 40 mm L/70 gun,
2 x TP 613 torpedo tubes
The key to navies staying afloat is consistent FLEET REPLENISHMENT and maintenance. Navies which operate on tight budgets but which have managed to perfect the art of mixing the procurement of new-build vessels with the acquisition of second-hand or decommissioned but highly seaworthy vessels include the Egyptian, Bangladeshi, Philippines, Indonesian and Turkish navies.
In 2010-2011, Egypt undertook some significant naval acquisitions – a mix of used Norwegian missile craft and new vessels.
The ex-Norwegian missile craft which were acquired by the Egyptians are as follows:
EX-NORWEGIAN NAVAL VESSELS SOLD TO EGYPT:
* EGYPT TBA Ex-KNM Jo P 992 Purchased Jul 2010
* EGYPT TBA Ex-KNM Falk P 995 Purchased Jul 2010
* EGYPT TBA Ex-KNM Ravn P 996 Purchased Jul 2010
*EGYPT TBA Ex-KNM Stegg P 994 Purchased Jul 2010
*EGYPT TBA Ex-KNM Geir P 998 Purchased Jul 2010 (see PHOTO above)
*EGYPT TBA Ex-KNM Tjeld P 989 Purchased Jul 2010
Given the right levels of funding and situational awareness, some of those ships could have come to Nigeria at bargain prices and a time when our fleet of missile craft are approaching the end of their service lives. Anything between ten and fifteen years in Nigerian service and we would have justified the acquisition of these useful naval craft. Let us keep our eyes on the ball. We have complex maritime challenges to square up to in Nigeria.
The Egyptians also penned contracts for the acquisition of new vessels as follows
EGYPT TBN Coastal Patrol Craft TBA Ord Swiftships 06 Nov 2008 Del May 2010
EGYPT TBN Coastal Patrol Craft TBA Ord Swiftships 06 Nov 2008 Del May 2010
EGYPT TBN 28M Coastal Patrol Craft TBA Ord Swiftships 10 Feb 2011
EGYPT TBN 28M Coastal Patrol Craft TBA Ord Swiftships 10 Feb 2011
EGYPT TBN 28M Coastal Patrol Craft TBA Ord Swiftships 10 Feb 2011
EGYPT TBN 28M Coastal Patrol Craft TBA Ord Swiftships 10 Feb 2011
EGYPT Galal Desouky Tug DAMEN Stan Tug 2208 Del Sep 2009
EGYPT TBA Tug DAMEN Stan Tug 2208
EGYPT TBA Tug DAMEN Stan Tug 2208
EGYPT TBA YTB DAMEN Stan Tug 2208
EGYPT Soliman Ezzat 682 Ord VT Halter Marine 11/05 Comm 25 Oct 11
EGYPT FAC TBA 684 Ord VT Halter Marine 11/05
EGYPT FAC TBA 686 Ord VT Halter Marine 11/05
EGYPT FAC TBA 688 VT Halter Marine Ann 18 Dec 09
PLANNED:
SUBMARINES
EGYPT Proj 636 Kilo Planned
EGYPT Proj 636 Kilo Planned EGYPT Proj 636 Kilo Planned
EGYPT Proj 636 Kilo Planned
Nigeria is Africa’s second biggest economy while Egypt is Africa’s no.3 economic giant. The difference between the presence of physical security or lack of it within a nation-space, is the presence or absence of the political will to faithfully train and equip her armed forces.
COMBAT BOAT 90
Length: 15.9 m (52′) Overall
14.9 (48′)
Waterline Beam: 3.8 m (12’6″) Draught: 0.8 m (2’8″)
Propulsion:
2 x 625 bhp Scania DSI14 V8 Diesel;
2 x Kamewa FF water jets
Speed: 40 knots (74 km/h)
Range: 240 nmi (440 km) at 20
knots (37 km/h)
Complement:
3 (two officers and one engr.)
Up to 21 amphibious troops
with full equipment
Armament:
3 × Browning M2HB machine guns
1 × Mk 19 grenade launcher
4 naval mines or 6 depth charges
Its a Philippine made Craft..=)
Hi Sirs,
Just a follow thu. Philippine MPACs Multi-purpose Assault Craft (similar to Swedish Combat Boat 90) are already in use with the Philippine Navy – 3 operational MK 1 version and another 3 Mk2 version (very recent commissioning, with revised gun positions, etc.). The first 3 are made in the Philippines with assistance from firms in Taiwan (integration of some equipment, etc.) the second lot are entirely made in the Philippines. Local builds, it makes economical sense if some of acquired defense articles are built locally.
SOME RIGHT-PRICED MAJOR SURFACE COMBATANTS
DANISH-BUILT KNUD-RASMUSSEN OCEANIC PATROL VESSEL (US$50 MILLION)
Displacement: 1,720 tons
Length: 72 m (236 ft 3 in)
Beam: 14.6 m (47 ft 11 in)
Draft: 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in)
Propulsion: 2 x MAN B&W Diesel ALPHA 8L27/28 generating 2.720 kW each
Speed:Less than 17 kn(31 km/h) Range:3,000 n.miles(5,600 km)
Boats and landing craft carried: 1 x SB90E for Search and rescue, 1x 7m (60 HP) RHIB, 1 x 4.8m (45 HP) RHIB
Complement: 18 + aircrew and
transients (Accommodation for up to 43 in total)
Sensors and processing systems:
1 x Terma Scanter 4100 surface and air search radar
3 x Furuno navigation radars
* SAAB CEROS 200 radar and optronic tracking system
* CWI illumination radar
Armament:
1 x 76 mm Gun Mk M/85 LvSa
2 x 12,7 mm Heavy Machine Gun M/01 LvSa
RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile surface- to-air missiles MU90 Impact ASW-torpedo
Aviation facilities:
Aft helicopter deck, no hangar
DANISH-BUILT ABSALON CLASS DESTROYER (US$269 MILLION)
Displacement: 6,600 tons(full)
Length: 137.6 m (451 ft 5 in)
Beam: 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in) Draft: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
Propulsion: 2 x MTU 8000 M70 diesel engines two shafts
22,300 bhp (16.6 MW)
Speed:Less than 24 kn(44 km/h)
Range: 9,000 nmi (17,000 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Boats and landing craft carried: 2 x RHIBs, 2 x SB90E LCP
Complement: 100, plus aircrew and transients (accommodation for up to 300 in total)
Sensors and processing systems:
Thales SMART-S Mk2 3D volume search radar
Terma Scanter 2100 surface search radar
Atlas ASO 94 sonar
4 × Saab CEROS 200 fire control radars
ES-3701 Tactical Radar
Electronic Support Measures (ESM)
Electronic warfare and decoys:
4 × 12-barrelled Terma DL-12T 130 mm decoy launchers
2 × 6-barrelled Terma
DL-6T 130 mm decoy launchers
Armament:
1 × 5″/62 caliber Mark 45 mod 4 gun
2 × Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun Systems
CIWS 6 × 12.7 mm Heavy machine guns
MU90 Impact ASW torpedoes
VLS with up to 36 RIM-162 ESSM/RIM-7 Sea Sparrow (Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS)
3 x 2 × Stinger Point-defence SAM
8-16 × Harpoon Block II SSM
Aircraft carried: 2 × EH-101 helicopters
Aviation facilities: Aft helicopter deck and hangars
SPANISH-BUILT(NAVANTIA)BAM MARITIME ACTION SHIP(US$116 MILLION)
Displacement: 2,500 t (full load)
Length: 93.9m
Beam: 14.2m Draft: 4.2m
Speed: 20+ knots
Range: 8700 mi
Complement: 35 crew and 35 forces
Armament:
1 cannon 76/62 mm gun
2 x 25 mm Automatic Mountings
2 × 12.7 mm machine guns
Aircraft carried: 1 × NH-90
A PICTURE with specs of the ABSALOM class ………………..PLEASE MR beeagle
sorry i just scrolled back MY BAD
Yeah, Beeg, I fully support this new global view. It is said that ignorance is bliss. So, not having a true picture of what is being done by other nations, some with more financial constraints than nigeria; gives us a false sense of ourselves.
I am prepared to beat this drum until we do better. And I don’t care who the truth is offending.
Support and encouragement for one’s country has it’s place.
But turning a blind eye to incompetence, indiscipline and sadistic greed is unforgivable and unpatriotic.
Yeah Doziex, I find it inconceivable – whether by extrabudgetary funding or within the ambit of the FY 2012 appropriation, that the FGN cannot immediately place orders for
* one Absalon destroyer US$269m
* four Knud-Rasmussen OPVs US$200m
* six Shaldag Mk.II FPCs US$30m
I am opposed to the acquisition of those overpriced French and Dutch alternatives which would not yield more than two platforms (in the case of the Gowind light frigates) at a cost of over $900m. Not a chance of doing something that crazy.
From the perspectives of multitasking,versatility and firepower, compare our prescription to the foregoing Franco-Dutch options? See how usefully armed the Knud-Rasmussen ships are – they even have missile systems on board? Note their size and the attendant implications for being able to operate across turbulent sea states?
The Malaysians have just placed an order for six Gowind light frigates valued at $2.8 billion – a unit cost of over $475m for the 100 metre 2,500 tonne vessels which carry 57mm main guns, SAMs and torpedos whereas the $50m Knud Rasmussen OPV, though smaller and lighter but no less useful for oceanic patrols, carries a 76mm main gun, Sea Sparrow SAMs and ASW torpedos.
Between these two options, the sensible acquisition is clear. For the price of one Gowind light frigate($465m), Nigeria can acquire nine Knud Rassmussen OPVs OR two Barosso light frigates and five Knud Rasmussen OPVs.
If we have the money for 1 Gowind light frigate(DCNS are aggressively marketing the brand in Nigeria), we had better spend it on the acquisition of two Barosso-class light frigates and five Knud Rasmussen OPVs which are better armed and present us with seven plucky capital ships – not ONE Gowind light frigate.
Don’t even contemplate it for a minute – 7 ships to 1 ship of WHATEVER level of purported sophistication?
HERE is the shape of things to COME for the NIGERIAN NAVY.
FY 2012 naval projects include the ACQUISITION OF 2 UNITS O OPVs.
what’s the word are we getting these ships from Portugal or Spain?
Are they going to wake up and increase the Naval budget?
No Jimmy, the chairman of the senate committee in charge of the navy said so. They are going to shrink it (i.e the budget ) instead. She said that the whole vote for the navy is not even enough to fuel and operate the NNS Thunder for a year. Meaning our fully functional flag ship is going to be shore bound.
When I critisized the fact that NNS Thunder was making ceremonial port calls, some of you thought I was crazy or just ignorant of such activities.
Far from that . It was for these ridiculous decisions being made. The entire Navy budget not even enough to fuel the operations of one “donated” ship. Per senator chris Anyanwu.
During the christening of NNS thunder, CNS admiral Ola Ibrahim was straining his voice to make the point that adequate defense spending was directly linked to economic prosperity.
Senator Anyanwu made the point that these vessels are crucial investments that are not cheap.
canoes can’t get the job done.
Yet some IGNORANT politicians and press are already complaining that the security vote is TOO LARGE. DO YOUR DAMN JOBS. YOU LAZY BUMS. DO SOME DAMN RESEARCH FOR GOD’S SAKE.
The Portuguese OPVs are a different category – the “Viano do Castello” class. Those apparently became available because the Portuguese Navy fell on hard times which necessitated budget cuts after orders had been placed for the OPVs. New-build and unused ships thus became available for resale at bargain prices.
That was what the budgetary outlay for 2 OPVs in FY 2011 had been intended for but the negotiations appear to have stonewalled at some point, leading to the Navy entering into contracts for the acquisition of OPVs built in Korea and China – which would be the only the second time since the end of the Civil War(1970) that the Navy are acquiring ships from outside the NATO orbit.
In 2009, more than 40 years after wooden-hulled and gun-armed torpedo boats(Komar) were supplied to the Navy during the Nigerian Civil War, Singapore’s Suncraft Group supplied a pair of 38 metre Offshore Patrol Craft to the Nigerian Navy – the first time that the NN had taken delivery of ships constructed outside the NATO orbit.
That said, you can be sure that the budget would increase and not decrease now that a lot more lethargic legislators have been jolted into a state of sober reflection by the fact that since the presentation of that budget proposal, there have been
* a 3-day battle in Damaturu & Potiskum
* the Xmas Day suicide bomb attacks
* the January 20th gun and suicide bomb attacks in Kano
Just go to the thread which says PREVIEW OF POLICE+INTELLIGENCE BUDGETS…read our analysis and forecast and on the same page, find a link to a breakdown of the estimates.
Be reasssured that of that sum, there is an overhang of US$1.4bn for which expenditure has not been detailed(presumed intended for acquisitions) and also, join me in finding out(if you can) what the US$2bn which was drawn from the Excess Crude Account into which all monies accruing from prices which exceed the budgetary benchmark get paid. What that means is this. The FY 2012 budget is based on $70 per barrel of crude. Assuming that crude petroleum prices actually hover around $100 throughout Q1 2012, that $30 boon per barrel goes to the extrabudgetary Excess Crude Account.
Back to the heart of the matter, in November 2011 drawings to the tune of $2bn were made for a nebulously categorised “various projects”, detailing which suggests classified projects which can only be in the realm of defence and security. Such a hefty outlay on “various projects” suggests that a lot of extrabudgetary acquisitions have been made and the evidence is gradually starting to to be seen – the clearest being the Oshkosh SandCat mine-protected LPVs for which contracts have been signed but which no provisions were indicated in the 2011 appropriation. Like the 2012 estimate, a hyperlink to the 2011 breakdown of the defence budget was also splashed on these pages.
Similar xtrabudgetary funding also mostly took care of the $500m Israeli deal for unmanned Aerostar aerial vehicles, Seastar vehicles and an array of coastal radar systems, in times gone past. Ditto the acquisition of about 300 gunboats and landing craft for the Nigerian Army amphibious forces and the Nigerian Navy.
Look on the bright side, guys. We have started to unravel procurement reports and even as it is made difficult by the penchant of our MoD to have acquisitions shrouded in secrecy by committing suppliers to non-disclosure clauses, we are on top of our game as it concerns that.
From the obscure shipyards of Strategic Marine, we unearthed the record swoop on riverline warfare platforms which CERTAINLY eluded all the “logsters” at SIPRI, Jane’s, the UN Register and IISS.
For the avoidance of doubt, see the thread “THE NIGERIAN MILITARY’S UNKNOWN JUMBO HAUL OF RIVER GUNBOATS”
BARROSO-CLASS CORVETTE
(US$90 MILLION)
Displacement: 2,350 tons full load
Length: 103.4 m
Beam: 11.4 m
Draught: 5.3 m
Propulsion:
1 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbine (27,490 shp) and
2 × MTU 1163 TB93 diesel engines driving two shafts with controllable pitch propellers in CODOG configuration
Speed: 27+ knots (50+ km/h) 20.5 knots (38 km/h) on diesels alone
Range: 4,000 nautical miles (7,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 154 (~25 officers, 125
enlisted)
Sensors and processing systems:
1 × RAN-20S 2-D air-and-surface-search radar
1 × Terma SCANTER surface-search radar
1 × Furuno FR-8252 navigation radar
1 × Orion RTX-30 fire- control radar
1 × Saab EOS-400 optronic fire-control system
EDO 99 C hull-mounted sonar
Electronic warfare and decoys:
Elebra ET/SLQ-1A ECM,
Cutlass B1BW ESM system,
Elebra SLDM chaff/decoy launchers
Armament:
1 × 4.5 in (113 mm) Vickers Mk.8 gun
1 × 40 mm Bofors Trinity Mk.3 gun
4 × MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 1/2
2 × ARES SLT Mod 400 triple-tube(324mm) launchers for Mk.46 Mod 5 ASW torpedoes
Aircraft carried:
1 × Westland Super Lynx Mk.21A
PANTSIR S1E ($16 MILLION)
We need these as well. Take the Roland ADMs to bases such as Ilorin, Kainji, Benin, Enugu, Kaduna, PHC, Yola, Jos etc.
Station these Pantsir S1E at Calabar, Lagos, Sokoko, Makurdi, Maiduguri and Kano – our first-line of defence.
Yeah beeg, I am all for getting the biggest bang for our buck. But knowing our country and penchant for inefficiencies, I wouldn’t be surprised if the french sweet talks them into the unwarranted expensive purchase of the GOWIND. Them things are nothing but souped up, over priced OPVs.
I see you have no interest in the chinese F-22p frigates . That were recently purchased by pakistan. I think the price tag is just as reasonable as the Barroso light frigates.
Anyhow, This is a buyers market. More nations and companies are pouring into the arms manufacturing market. We have so much to choose from. And we don’t have to countenance any political/ neo colonial BS.
My preference would be:
1 absalon destroyer
2 Barroso light frigates
8 OPVs of korean and chinese make.
12 fast attack crafts (missile)
2 submarines for starters. the german type 214, the french scorpene, the russian Amur class would all suffice.
Oh Doziex, I DO like the F22P frigates a lot. Priced at a reasonable $200m, they are very well armed with guns, SAMs and the imperious C802 SSMs. Bangladesh have placed orders for two units in the first instance, taking a cue from Pakistan while Thailand and Indonesia might climb onto that train in no time at all.
It is because the Absalon had already taken the top slot on my scale of preference that we thought up the idea of finding the half-priced and similar-sized substitute to the F22P that is the Barroso. Indeed, we can get 2 Barroso light frigates for the price of one F22P. That was why we settled for those.
The Knud Rasmussen OPVs, for size and panoply of armaments are the most attractively priced($50m) and usefully armed OPVs coming out of the West. They are good to go and even though in the same size and price range as the Gondan OPVs, they are much heavier(thinking seakeeping) and more seriously armed – 76mm gun, ASW torpedos and SAMs.
IF the Korean and Chinese OPVs can come armed with 73mm main guns, 23mm CIWS, a pair of C802 AShMs and ASW torpedos at a unit cost of $50m and belong in the 85+metre 1,500+ tonne category, that would be OK by me.
The cheapest option for missile craft would be to have patrol craft in the 25m to 32m catgory armed with missiles. I am sure that the Chinese and Koreans would be able to manufacture 32m hulls complete with engines at the unit cost of $12.5m. Thereafter, talks can then be entered into on how to have such hulls fitted with twin 37mm guns and 23mm guns fore and aft, Igla SAMs and 2-cell C802 SSMs.
The Taiwanese armed their Shaldag-sized Super Dvora FACs with twin SSM launchers while the Israelis themselves have a similar practice in place and have even successfully installed SSMs on 20-metre hydrofoils.
We have to keep our eyes and PURSE STRINGS OPEN. These six used units of missile craft which the Egyptians grabbed from Norway should never have eluded us.
Going forward, we might have to concentrate on hull construction which can be most cheaply accomplished at reputable shipyards in Korea and China such as Daewoo, Hyundai and Poly Technologies Inc. Since the Chinese and Koreans would do that on a strictly commercial basis sans political intrigues, we can thereafter explore all options for the best possible panoply of armaments to be installed on the ships.
The Chinese have a broad range of effective naval guns to choose from – 12.7mm, 14.5mm, 23mm, 37mm, 57mm, 73mm and 100mm PLUS the C802 SSMs while the Israelis would also be able to support with torpedos, SAMs, SSMs and navtronics.
Nothing prevents us from having a go at the similarly right-priced and whisper-quiet Song-class submarines which, likely you rightly pointed out, surprised an American flotilla by popping up right in their middle undetected, never mind all the talk about “inferior” Chinese technology.
Perhaps the submarine crews which have been training in Pakistan since 2008 are primed for that particular brand of submarines.
Finally and according to the Pakistanis, the Chinese-built Shaanxi ZDK-03 AEW & C aircraft surpasses the Saab Erieye in many respects. They field both brands and should know. If we were able to acquire both Alenia ATR-42MPA Surveyor planes in one loop, nothing prevents us from reaching out for the Shaanxi AEWC plane which is priced at about US$70m.
CHINESE-BUILT SHAANXI ZDK-03 AEWC AIRCRAFT OF THE PAKISTAN AIR FORCE(US$ 70 MILLION).
In August 2011, Pakistan announced the placement of a US$278 million order for four units of the Shaanxi ZDK-03 AWACS planes, implying a unit cost of an unbeatable US$69.5 million.
The problem with Nigerians is that we are too busy fantasizing about the much-fancied but unreachable and in the end, we wind up without even the fundamentals.
We have our gettable and most conveniently priced AWACS plane before you. Let’s pounce.
CHINESE-MADE HARBIN Z-9WA ARMED HELICOPTER
IF we fly the Agusta A109 LUH, there is no reason why we should not similarly field the Z-9WA which is equipped with nightfighting FLIR gear(see nose), carries ten troops and is equipped with a western-made powerplant. It is the license-built version of the Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin which has been exceptionally configured for combat operations – with twin 23mm guns, rocket pods, missiles etc.
CHINESE-MADE XIAN MA60H-500:
A military cargo version of the MA-60, with rear cargo ramp (US$14 MILLION)
This is the half-priced alterego of the Alenia G222. Made in China, the aircraft is powered by Pratt and Whitney(Canada) engines.
Maximum speed: 514 km/h (278 knots, 319 mph)
Cruise speed: 430 km/h (232 knots, 267 mph) (econ cruise speed)
Range: 1,600 km (864 nmi, 994 mi)
Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
Empty weight: 13,700 kg (30,203 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 21,800 kg (48,060 lb)
Powerplant:
2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J Turboprop, 2,051 kW (2,750shp) each
CHINESE MRAP (JV PROJECT BETWEEN POLY TECHNOLOGIES AND A SOUTH AFRICAN FIRM)
Poly Technologies are the current technical partners of Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation
MBB Bo-105
This Global Defence and Security brief is a very good area to be looked into in as much as almost all our defence hardware are sourced from abroad. The French and Dutch guys should not blind-fold our government to buy their over- priced warships that may not be well armed.Mr Beeg,I strongly concur with your analyses and submission on the 7 to 1 warship purchase. The problem with our law-makers is that they are not reading any thing about other country’s defence and security spendings. We should give the Chinese and the Koreans money to build 32m hulls with engines as you rightly suggested with high calibre naval guns from the chinese and Isreali missiles, torpedoes and navigation electronics,to be assembled by our Naval Dockyards in Lagos and Port Harcourt to enhance technology transfer. In the next 5 to 10 years the Chinese defence and security technologies will be fully matured to give us the critical capabilities we need.Doziex thanks for your contributions keep us informed too.
Will do, Son.
Beeg, I am very impressed with what pakistan has achieved with a poor economy and meager forex.
Keeping up with rising world power india, is no joke. Imagine what more pakistan would achieve with nigeria’s oil wealth ?
Anyway, I dig the pantsir SAM/AAA combo. India snagged about a 100 units of those a few years back.
The BUK-M2 is also a solid medium range SAM system. But if we ever got adventurous, we could go for the S-300.
Now, those are for the big boys.
Gbash, the Chinese have recorded very significant advances in the realm of military production. It is only Nigerians, weaned as it were on all things western and star-struck to no end who do not realise this for a fact. Sometimes, it stems from narrow worldviews and a total lack of awareness about goings-on outside of the orbit of the more readily available sources of information coming out of the West. Those are decidedly slanted against China and Russia. Korea are not a threat so the reportage is not quite as malicious.
Countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Thailand pay far more serious attention to their military acquisitions, even as we can afford to spend as much or more than Pakistan and Egypt and can arguably match Thailand in terms of spending power.
While Nigerians would denigrate anything coming out of China on account of the vile commercial propaganda which they absorb from Western sources and which is mostly steeped in jingoism and self-adulation, the Chinese have
* Against the run of play and bad-mouthing about the accuracy of their missile systems, blasted a Chinese satellite out of orbit to drive home the point about how accurate their guided missile systems are
* Popped up a Song-class submarine in between a flotilla of American warships to show how able they are to evade detection, even by the most advanced detection systems
* China’s MBT-2000 lately beat all comers to win a tank supply bid in Morocco.
People are perhaps not taking notes sufficiently.
Back to missile boats, check these missile-armed coastal patrol craft fielded by the Egyptians
October class missile boats
Displacement: 82 tons full load
Crew: 20
Dimensions: 25.3meters
Armament:
Two Otomat SSM
Two twin 30 mm AA guns
CHINESE-BUILT HEGU MISSILE BOATS
Displacement: 79 t
Length: 27 m
Speed: 38 kt
Range: 520 nm @ 26 kt
Propulsion: 4 Soviet M50 or Chinese
L-12V-180 diesel engines
Complement: 17 (incl. 2 or 3officers)
Armament:
Anti-ship missiles:
2 Silkworm missiles or 2 C-101 supersonic anti- ship missiles
Guns: 2 Type 61 25 mm guns (II x 2)
IF you ask me, our fleet of missile interceptors should be cheap and easy-to-maintain, comprising of 25-32 metre platforms with two AShMs mounted. That way, for the outlay which we spent on half(3) of our six units of 58m Combattante III/Luerssen missile boats, we can get ten 32 metre boats built in Korea or China and then have them armed with 37mm guns and two-cell C802 missiles.
We should have in view, a fleet of OPVs which for a MINIMUM, should measure 73m-85m and weigh 1,500+ tons. We cannot afford the luxury of not having what MUST always be for us dual-purpose fighting ships/OPVs armed with 30mm guns as is the case with the advanced countries. So our OPVs must carry 73mm/76mm main guns, 25mm CIWS, two-cell AShMs and torpedos. Period..end of story
That way, we would have an affordable fleet of missile boats and also meet our need for oceanic patrol vessels. No point in spending so much on 58 metre missile boats which cannot venture out to the limits of our EEZ. We might as well achieve the same objective – more and smaller platforms at reduced cost while seeking oceanic patrol capabilities by building much larger vessels(at even lesser cost than what we spent on each 58m Lurssen or Combattante missile craft) which can be trusted to patrol our EEZ to its 350 nm limits.
Our interests have shifted offshore. That was not the case 30 years ago when our interests were shore and coast-bound. Note that today, the 58 metre missile craft have no place in our priorities now that we have offshore oil platforms as far out as 70 nautical miles and these offshore facilities are probably worth $20 billion. Add to that the need to patrol oil Joint Development Zones with Equato-Guinea, Cameroon and Sao Tome and to undertake anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Guinea.
The 25-38m coastal patrol+missile craft would provide protection for LNG plants, oil export terminals and ports in the coastal areas, where we have $100 billion’s worth of the total of $120 billion oil industry infrastructure located
*25-38m craft can handle coastal patrols and missile attack, so why spend money buying 58 metre missile craft which do just the same things BUT cannot handle EEZ patrols to the outer limits?
* Our core tasks are coastal patrols, missile attack and EEZ patrols. It calls for small coastal patrol+missile boats and oceangoing OPVs and light frigate but not intermediate 42-60m vessels which are not oceangoing.
@Doziex. They can have the S-300 if they want to. We are just not sufficiently aggressive about our acquisitions. Don’t tiny Cyprus have them? Algeria have them as well.
If we think we do not need them, surely the Pantsir S1Es are needed as replacements for the aging Roland ADMs. Do Algeria not have Pantsir S1Es, BM 30 Smerch and S300s? We are very slack about our defences is all and take matters for granted. It is all about sacrifices and courage.
The IBB regime, before it derailed, made serious enquiries about Foxtrot submarines, Chinook helicopters and KC-135 air refueling tankers.
The Americans objected to the tankers bit and we shut down whereas we can get an IL-78M tanker for less than it costs to get a Shaanxi AWACS plane? That is why I say that we sometimes act whipped, craving after the fanciful and ending up empty-handed. Perhaps a KC-135 tanker and US-made AWACS would cost $200m and $550m respectively, which are decidedly priced beyond the limits of what we have demonstrated the GUTS to be able to reach out for.
Nigerians know that the makers would not sell but they would rather lust after same and stay empty-handed. Pakistan which have much deeper and far-reaching ties to the US military know better and for $70million per unit average, they have grabbed four units each of the IL-78M and Shaanxi AWACS. We are the architects of our own fate with our “west or the highway” attitude. We shall yet learn the hard way perhaps.
After our Jags were grounded by sanctions, Indonesia faced a similar arms embargo in 1999 in the wake of her brutal crackdown in East Timor which led to the deaths of over 1,500 civilians in the want-away province. By 2005, their fleet of F16s was conclusively grounded and they swiftly turned to Russia for Su-27s and Su-30s. Since then, they have become wiser and now have everything from Mi-35 attack and Mi-17 utility helicopters to BTR-3s, BM 30 Smerch, BMP-3 and Yakhont S2S missiles. They have S300s on order and are not fantasizing about Patriot missiles as can be expected of our overwhelmingly whipped, ignorant and brainwashed compatriots.
KRI MAKASSAR (US$37.5 MILLION): THE MOST AFFORDABLE LANDING PLATFORM DOCK(LPD) IN THE WORLD TODAY..BUILT FOR INDONESIA BY DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING AND MARINE ENGR(KOREA)
Tonnage: 8400 tons
Displacement:
7,300 tons standard displacement
11,394 tons full
displacement
Length: 122 meters ~ 125 meters(for Indonesian version)
Beam: 22 meters
Height: 56 meters
Draft: 4.9 meters
Decks: (Tank Deck); 6.7 meter, (Truck Deck); 11.3 meter
Propulsion: CODAD, 2 shafts 2 x MAN B&W 8L28/32A diesel rated at 2666 BHP/1960 kW@ 775 RPM
Speed: Maximum: 16 knots
Cruising: 14 knots
Economy: 12 knots
Range: 30 days, up to 10,000nm
Endurance: +45 days
Boats and landing craft carried: 2 x LCVP
Capacity: 8 helicopters and 40
infantry vehicles
Troops: 218 troops
Complement: accommodation for up to 518 persons
Crew: 126 crew
Time to activate: 3
Electronic warfare and decoys:
2 Bofors 40mm canon,
2 Oerlikon 20mm canon,
2 MBDA Simbad missile system
Armament:
‘A’ position: Bofors 40mm SAK40/L70 or 100mm
‘B’ position: 20mm Oerlikon
‘B’ position: 2 x Mistral Simbad
Aircraft carried: 5 helicopters
Now gentlemen, this is the reason why we are recommending that our hull construction be conceded to Korea and China. Do Daewoo, the world’s second largest shipbuilder need any introduction?
IF they are able to construct this 122metre, 8400 ton behemoth for $37.5m, perhaps they can build a dozen 32 metre patrol craft for us at the rate of $100m. Thereafter, we can move them to Nigeria and get he Chinese or Israelis to come to the country and do the needful as it concerns torpedos, AShMs and naval guns.
Perhaps DAEWOO would be able to build 85+metre 1800+ tonne OPVs for $20m. After all, Damen 8313 of that size are built in Holland for $20m.
Over to the MoD. Do something good and truly contemporary for Nigeria
It would be so much better if Daewoo were to set up an ancilliary shipyard in Nigeria, say in the Niger Delta as a JV with Nigerian Dockyards. Not only can they supply clients in the African/ West African subregion from closer to home, it gives them an additional revenue stream servicing the oil barges etc.
Nigeria is well overdue for a large shipyard of this capacity
Well, the similarly reputable Hyundai Heavy Engineering recanted after media reports had indicated their readiness to establish a $7 billion shipyard in Bayelsa State.
What is certain is that ABG Shipyards of India, that country’s largest, are pressing ahead with plans to establish a $1bn shipyard in Calabar. The FG is expected to hold a 40% stake in the venture and it was stated at the time that the continuing production of OPVs is part of the big picture.
NIGERIA’S BRIEF DALLIANCE WITH THE CHINOOK (NAF 901)
Presumably, XNur44 and Gbash know the story behind that. Only yesterday (scroll up a bit), we talked about how the IBB regime, before it derailed, planned to acquire Foxtrot submarines, Chinook helicopters and KC-135 tankers. I was not joking, even as the photo above must have come to many readers as a real surprise.
Hmmm… @Beeg that picture of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook with NAF paintings is a big surprise to me, I saw the chinook’s acquisition story some years ago but could not get any reason why the acquisition did not get through.However from a strategic point of view,the FG should include the Chinook on the items to be supplied to our military as part of their assistance to help solve Boko Haram problem.I am really happy to know that their are other like-minded persons who love defence and security issues. The US can not be trusted,so we should trade carefully with them,no bad feelings, hope the MoD is listening.
Any news Mr BEEAGLE, DOZIEX, XNUR on NNS thunder since It has arrived?
We all have been preoccupied with B.H. that we did not even comment on PATIENCE christening the SHIP.
An IDEA the NAVY should embrace in order to secure funds from the ASSEMBLY FOR THE Navy
1) MAKE provisions to take the HOUSE commitee ON a SELECT tour OF the major OIL platforms,and NAVAL installations, F.O,.B. aboard ONE OF THE recently ACQUIRED ships including THE ageing NNS ARADU
2) Name Newly acquired SHIPS after famous Coastal cities NNS LAGOS , NNS calabar , NNS portharcourt.NNS BONNY and MAKE THESE ships visit these areas THIS will generate BETTER p.r FOR THE NAVY
3) NAME ships AFTER prominent deceased NIGERIANS NNS WEY (as in ship not naval base)
NNS OBA OVARAMIEN( OBA OF BENIN who resited the british)
NIGERIA’S SOFT UNDERBELLY – DESERT FRONTIERS IN THE OUTBACK TO THE FAR NORTH:
Kuri Wakko sand dunes, Yusufari LGA of Yobe State, NE Nigeria…less than 10 miles from the border with Niger Republic. Even Libyan immigrants live here in this familiar world of date palms, infernal heat, golden sand dunes and oases.
We need to step up our preparations for desert operations, even as officer cadets now undertake field training modules in desert warfare. Let us have the specialized vehicles, airconditioned tents and navigational equiipment.
Remember, Boko Haram (then known as the ‘Taliban’) set up their first-known camp at Kanamma, another desert community further to the north and which is situated one mile from the territory of Niger. They launched their first-ever attack against Nigeria from there.
KURI WAKKO SAND DUNES, YUSUFARI LGA, YOBE STATE, NE NIGERIA
MAIMALARI SAND DUNES, KILBOA, NE NIGERIA
TULO TULO OASES, NE NIGERIA
OASIS IN NE NIGERIA
FULANI MAIDENS OF THE DESERT
LIBYAN-BORN BEDOUIN ARABS AT YUSUFARI, NE NIGERIA
NIGERIAN-BORN SHUWA ARABS(BAQARRA ARABS) IN NE NIGERIA
TANZANIA UPGRADE T59 TANKS TO THE VASTLY IMPROVED T59G VARIANT (125MM GUN)
Helooo…people,i did some digging and i got this “five Nigerian CH-47Cs not delivered;one retained by Boeing as maintenance trainer;fate of others uncertain.”I suppose the Chinook NAF 901 in the posted pix is part of the 5 chinooks that were not delivered,haba!!! Imagine if NAF gets the MH-47G variant used by US Army Special Operations Command,and is used to carry 33 to 55 troops on high mission profile 51/2 hours covert deep penetration of over 300nMile(560km,345mile) radius in adverse weather,day or night,all -terrain with 90% success probability BH training camps would have been their hell on earth.The chinook can be licensed built by Ericòteri Meridionali/AgustaWestland of Italy builders of the AW109 helicopters. Now did IBB paid for these choppers?if yes then the US government should supply 12 units of brand new and latest model of Chinooks helicopter with interest to the NAF.Unit cost of a chinook was US$35million(2008).We need this choppers now. *The S-300MPU2/SA-20B Gargoyle SAM system is a deadly weapon that is feared and acknowledge so by all Western and Isreali air forces respectively.The Chinese have re-engineered it to the FD-2000/HQ-9 SAM system,experts believe that its effective range is around 80% of the range of the first SA-20 variant,and is better than US MIM-104 Patriot Variants. The radars of the HQ-9 make use of all the anti-jam design features the Russians cleverly built into the SA-10 and SA-20.It is also claimed that it has a basic low probability of intercept capability for the radar,which would make it extremely difficult to detect and track by its microwave emmissions.This SAM system is used for area air defence,while the short- range HQ-12, and our out-dated Roland SAM systems are used for point defence.In Africa Algeria and maybe Egypt are having S-300;the Chinese are ready to transfer technology should a country want to buy this systems in large numbers from them,complacency is not an option, MoD Abuja wake up!
Great riposte, Gbash.
You are right about the fact of that delivery not having been followed through. In the related thread pertaining to the SUPER TUCANO, we posted as follows
QUOTE
” As for the Chinook which you see above, it was taken on for evaluation. No further units were delivered.”
END OF QUOTE
A word of warning for the Nigerians who believe America WILL supply THE family of AIRFRAMES ain’t GONNA happen look to cash strapped EUROPE they need to sell somebody the euro fighter we can get that without all the hangwringing / MORE IMPORTANTLY look to RUSSIA for the su -30
Here is another ATTRACTIVE OPTION as we seek replacements for our LSTs – NNS Ambe and Offiom.
Worst case scenario, acquire one Makassar-class LPD to be stationed at Calabar for long-range operations in Central Africa under the auspices of the Gulf of Guinea Guard since we belong to that grouping alongside EIGHT other nations in the Gulf, all of them in Central Africa.
With much less of strategic value in our maritime neighbourhood with West Africa bar the thriving port of Lagos which handles more than two-thirds of Nigeria’s maritime trade, said to account for 62% of seaborne trade in West and Central Africa combined, we can afford to acquire TWO UNITS of General Frank Besson Logistics Support Vessels for $64m – crafted with pride in the United States of America and then, deploy one unit to the Western Naval Command and the other to the Central Naval Command.
The US Army use the LSVs and they cost a very convenient sum of US$32 million.
GENERAL FRANK BESSON-CLASS LOGISTICS SUPPORT VESSELS: very convenient replacements for our aging LSTs
Type: Logistics Support Vessel
Displacement: 4,266 t
Length: 273 ft (83 m)
Beam: 60 ft (18 m)
Draft: 12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion: 2 × EMD 16-645E2;
1,950 hp (1,454 kW) each at 999 rpm
Speed: 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h) light, 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h) loaded
Range: 8,200 nmi (15,200 km) light, 6,500 nmi (12,000 km)
loaded
Complement: 6 officers, 23 enlisted
CAPACITY
” Designed to discharge 900 short tons of vehicles and cargo over the shore in as little as four feet of water, or 2,000 short tons as an intra-theater line haul roll-on/roll-off cargo ship. The vessel’s cargo deck is designed to handle any vehicle in the US Army inventory and can carry up to 15 M1 Abrams main battle” (or 23 T72 tanks)
The Philippines Navy use two of these useful US$32 platforms.
The 2 units that the Philippine Navy have (Bacolod City class LSV) are currently the workhorses of the PN’s transport capability as most of the ex-USN WW2 LSTs are having difficulty in keeping up with the transport needs. I’m not sure why the PN never ordered more units, and surprisingly instead opted to purchase at least 2 LPD, probably similar to the Makassar class as there are public info yet on where they would get them, either from Korea, Indonesia or some other country. At its height the PN used to have more than 20 LSTs at any given time.
Max
PVI- OSHKOSH ALPHA MRUV(CATEGORY 1)
100 units cost the USMC ONLY US$30.6M at 2007 prices – would probably cost less today.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation received a $30.6 million contract award from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, to deliver 100 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program within four months. The vehicles are categorized as “Category I” intended for urban operations and referred to as the Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV).
The vehicle proposed by Oshkosh Truck is the Alpha, designed by Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI) of North Charleston, South Carolina. Oshkosh and PVI have forged a relationship in the past year to pursue business opportunities related to armored vehicles.
PVI will produce the armored hulls, outfitted with their advanced armor technology, while Oshkosh will provide the production capability and engineering expertise to provide completed vehicles with the performance, reliability, and quality
standards to meet tactical operations requirements.
Oshkosh and PVI are also cooperating on a parallel MRAP contract, teaming with Israeli armor specialist, RAFAEL, for the production of MRAP Category II variant, called Golan.
The ALPHA is a 13 ton 4×4 vehicle designed to be an economical path to superior blast and ballistic protection for the US Military. When coupled with PVI’s ShieldAll armoring solution (developed under cooperation with Battelle) the
vehicle exceeds highly desired protection levels with minimal impact to payload and performance capabilities.
Standalone, ShieldAll has multi-hit protection capability against 7.62AP threats at one-third the weight of armored steel. Alpha has can accomodate eight occupants.
It has a v-shaped hull and is designed to meet or exceed all ballistic and mine protection capabilities specified under the MRAP requirement. The vehicle is also fully air transportable, making it simpler to re-deploy once in theater.
Source: DEFENSE UPDATE
Now take a look at this fine ship – the hull was constructed in China while NATO/EU navtronics and weapons systems were installed on her.
This was what we meant when we said that we should concentrate on hull construction in China and Korea and then, we can arm our ships with Israeli navtronics, missiles and countermeasures and Chinese naval artillery.
We do not need to rob a bank to stay afloat. Today, a ship was attacked 200 kilometres to the south of Lagos. To take charge of those parts, we need CAPITAL ships such as these OPVs – not Manta ASD Littoral Interceptors which are suited to coastal operations. The pirates are moving farther out to sea.
BTW, my emphasis on ships in the 85+ metre 1,500+ tonne category is predicated on their ability to withstand the turbulence entailed in deep oceanic operating conditions.
These Pattani-class OPVs sailed from Thailand to the Gulf of Aden to join the anti-piracy operations.
This is what Nigeria needs.
ROYAL THAI NAVY PATTANI CLASS OPVS – BUILT BY THE CHINA STATE SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION
THIS IS THE PATTANI’S SISTER SHIP, HYMS NARATHIWAT
Displacement: 1,440 tons (full)
Length: 95.5 m
Beam: 11.6 m
Draft: 3.0 m
Propulsion:
2 x Ruston16RK270 diesel engine, driving two shafts with controllable pitch propellers
Speed: 25 knots (46 km/h)
Range: 3500 nmi(6480 km) at 15 knots
Complement: 84
Sensors and processing
systems:
1 x Selex RAN-30X/I multimode surveillance radar with IFF
1 x Rheinmetall TMX/EO fire control radar and optronic director
3 x Raytheon Anschutz NSC-25 SeaScout navigational radar
Combat system
Atlas Elektronik COSYS combat management system
Navigation system Raytheon Anschutz IBS/ INS NSC-series
Communication system
Rohde & Schwarz Integrated
Communication system
Armament:
1 x Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid
2 x Denel Land Systems GI-2 20mm autocannon
2 x U.S. Ordnance M2HB .50 caliber machine gun
2 x Mk.141 RGM-84 Harpoon SSM launcher
Beeg, just thinking….if we get all these platforms and we succeed in securing the gulf of guinea…this would translate into economic prosperity for all (W-Africans & the West/East)…i think we should charge a security levy for all who safely pass through this waters…these levy would be used to fund the operations of keeping the waters safe and ensure military presence on the waters 24/7. I don’t think anyone would complain about that (after-all we pay for securing our various houses).
Personally I’m not keen on these Chinese ships, I remember seeing a report that the Thais spent millions of dollars to modify these ships due to some mechanical and electrical problems that placed the ships at risk. These are usual problems of products from China – you have to keep them checked too often and too soon.
MADE-IN-INDONESIA
40 metre MISSILE CRAFT
(US$7.98m)
THE JAKARTA POST
5 Jan 2012
NAVY TO PROCURE 24 UNITS OF 40m MISSILE-ARMED COASTAL PATROL CRAFT FOR SHALLOW WATERS AT US$7.98m EACH
The Indonesian Navy plans to acquire 24 guided-missile fast boats to be deployed in shallow waters in the western part of the country, a top Navy officer said on Wednesday.
Assistant for planning to the Navy chief of staff, Rear Adm. Sumartono, said the Navy had confirmed the order for the 24 patrol boats. “When we will buy them depends on the Defense Ministry’s financial ability,” he told reporters. “They will be deployed in the western part of Indonesia and in North Sulawesi.”
Sumartono was speaking at the sidelines of a visit by Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to privately-owned shipyard PT Palindo Marine’s facilities in Tanjung Uncang, Batam, in Riau Islands. The company has delivered two guided- missile fast boats, KRI Clurit and KRI Kujang, to the Navy and is working on a third boat.
Each boat, worth Rp 73 billion(US$7.98 million), has a top speed of 30 knots.
Palindo director Harmanto said the production of the boats was 45 percent locally sourced. “We use special steel from state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel for the bows and hull,” he said.
The 40-meter boats come with Chinese C705 anti-ship missiles with a range up to 120 kilometers, a six-barrel 30mm close-in weapons system and two 20-millimeter guns.
2 MORE RUSSIAN-MADE COMBAT COPTERS DELIVERED TO AZERBAIJAN
XINHUA
BAKU, April 9
Two Russian-made Mi-35M combat helicopters have been delivered to Azerbaijani capital Baku over the weekend, local media reported on Monday. Two helicopters departed Friday from Russia’s Rostov-on-Don- based RosvertolJSC and have been delivered to Baku by Volga-Dnepr AN 124 100 long range heavy transport aircraft.
A total of 24 Mi-35M helicopters worth 360 million U.S. dollars will be sent to Baku in accordance with a deal signed in
September,2010 between Rosoboronexport and its Azerbaijani
counterpart. The first four Mi-35M helicopters ordered by Azerbaijan were brought to Baku on December 12, 2011.
Mi-35 helicopters are modernized version of Mi-24 helicopters for the destruction of armored vehicles. These helicopters are also implemented in airlift delivery and the evacuation of the wounded as well as providing fire air support.
The helicopters have Russian-made NVGs, a new countermeasures system, Garmin GPS 115 with VPS-200 interface, and a turret- mounted IRTV-445MGH thermal imaging system.The helicopter’s armament includes anti-tank missiles, machine guns, grenade launcher and various bombs.
DANISH WARSHIP, ABSALON, STOPS SOMALI PIRATE VESSEL, 12 HOSTAGES FREED
COPENHAGEN, April 12 (Xinhua)
A Danish warship has apprehended a
suspected pirate ship off Somalia’s coast,and released 12 hostages held on board,the Danish naval command said here Thursday. The warship Absalon, which is part of NATO-led anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, stopped the pirate mothership in waters off Somalia’s east coast on Wednesday.
Sixteen suspected pirates were arrested
and are now detained on board the
warship, the navy said in a press
statement. Twelve persons, said to be from Iran and Pakistan, and who were held hostage on the pirate ship for over a month, were released from captivity following the action. They are now sailing home, the statement added.
No shots were fired during the operation and no casualties are reported, the navy said. Danish authorities are now examining whether the suspected pirates can be prosecuted, it added.
This is the second time since February
that the Absalon has stopped a pirate
mother ship, arrested pirates and
released hostages. According to Danish broadcaster TV2,Danish warships have captured a total of 280 pirates off Somalia’s coast, but only 37 have been delivered for prosecution, with the rest set free.
Without a functional government since
1991, Somalia has become a haven for
pirates who are believed to make millions of dollars by capturing and ransoming commercial and private ships and crews. The shipping industry and world governments spend around 7 billion U.S. dollars annually to avoid, combat, or mitigate Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean, the U.S.-based One Earth
Foundation said in a report earlier February.
MOBILE C802 MISSILE SYSTEM
KAMOV Ka-52
BUSHMASTER MRAP
74m 1247ton SRI LANKAN OPV
SLNS SAYURALA
MALAYSIA’S FIRST-EVER SCORPENE SUB
US TROOPS IN UP-ARMOURED HUMMER GUN-TRUCKS IN AFGHANISTAN
TO KICKSTART HER SUBMARINE FLEET, THAILAND HAVE PLACED A US$216m ORDER FOR SIX UNITS OF DECOMMISSIONED+UPGRADED EX-GERMAN TYPE 206A SUBMARINES
This didn’t push through, now the subs are to be sold to Colombia (I believe 2 units), while Mexico is also interested in the other units. Instead, the Thai Navy is pushing for 3 brand new frigates and more LPD same to those they bought from Singapore (based on RSN’s Endurance class).
GUINEAN ARMY TECHNICAL:
FIRST KILL FOR CHINESE TYPE 96 TANK IN THE SUDANS CONFLICT: A SOUTH SUDAN T72
INDUCTED YESTERDAY: PHILIPPINES NAVY MK.2 MPAC FAST ASSAULT CRAFT
PHOTO CREDIT; Max Montero, our resident Filipino cybergeneral
M2 BROWNING HMG-ARMED HUMMER GUN-TRUCKS
DAMEN’s HOLLAND CLASS OPV