The USCGC Gallatin is a 115 metre 3,250 ton Hamilton-class ship. She is a sister ship to the NNS Thunder F90 which was transferred to the Nigerian Navy on May 13, 2011 and entered Nigerian service on January 23, 2012.
The USNS John McDonnell is a 64 metre 2,054 ton oceanographic survey ship
GLITZMAGG
24 May, 2013
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele
Ezeoba, said on Friday that Nigeria would get two additional warships from
U.S. Ezeoba announced this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up to mark the 57th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
Represented by Rear Adm. Emmauel
Ogbor, Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP),
Ezeoba gave the names of the ships as US Navy Survey Ship MCDONELL and US Coast Guard Cutter GALLATIN. He said the transfer of the ships to the Nigerian Navy (NN) would be actualised before the end of 2014, adding that the joint visual inspection of the two vessels would be undertaken in May and August.
“I must put on record that the
Government of the U.S has in the last 10
years, transferred some ships to the navy as part of its capacity building support. “Some of the ships include THUNDER, OBULA, NWAMBA, KYANWA and OLOGBO. “These ships have contributed immensely to the security of the nation’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea,’’ he said.
Ezeoba said the issue of maritime
resource management involved not only
the navy but other stakeholders in the
industry. He said there was collaboration between the navy and other stakeholders in providing a secured environment for maritime resource management.
“To this extent, a crucial meeting with
stakeholders in the nation’s oil and gas
sector took place at the Naval
Headquarters on Feb. 21, 2013. “The meeting was aimed at proffering
workable solutions to the numerous
challenges in the sector. As a follow up to the meeting, the NN also hosted a 2-day retreat for maritime stakeholders at Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
“At the end of the retreat, far-reaching
resolutions were reached on how to
ensure a secured maritime environment
for the nation,’’ Ezeoba said. He said it was gratifying to note that the naval headquarters had begun the implementation of the resolutions with
commendable results.
According to the Chief of Naval Staff, the
issue of training has continued to receive priority attention in the scheme of things under his watch. Ezeoba said officers and ratings were continuously attending courses, seminars and symposia within and outside the country.
He said the programme for the navy’s
anniversary include interdenominational
church services, which will hold
simultaneously in all the Commands on
May 26, and special Juma’at prayers in
the commands on May 31.
“Navy Ships will be opened to visitors on
May 29, and on the same day, there will
be special medical rhapsody in host
communities. “On the evening of June 1, there will be Ceremonial Sunset and Cocktail party as the ceremonial sunset is one of the oldest and most significant naval ceremonies to conclude days of special importance.’’
http://glitzmagg.com/i/?p=3960
END
BACKGROUNDER
Eighteen days ago, your most authoritative Beegeagle’s Blog, in a world exclusive report, categorically stated that the Nigerian Navy are in line to receive the USCGC Gallatin sometime in 2014.
SEE
Beegeagle’s Blog – INTEGRITAS.
Beegeagle's Blog 
Good news,Gen Beeg, I am proud of the gradual but bold steps being taken by our current military top brass in unison with the political government. I also think that the current CDS, being a sailor, is equipping the Navy greatly under his various watches as FOC-West, CNS and CDS. Perhaps they could be manifestation of previous efforts before his tenure coming to fruition, but however, he has done outstandingly well.
I wish he and Gen Ihejirika get to 4-star generalship before being retired. They have rightly claimed their space in hall of the greatests in Nigerian Military records. I hope and pray the the modernization that they have brought to these fighting forces will be sustained and bettered by their future replacements without reverting to the unfortunate practices of past dark days of ethnocentricism, cronyism and sectionalism.
If this re-engineering is sustained, I can only imagine the place of the Nigerian military in another 15-20 years. It will be truly be the pride of Africa and black nations worldwide.
Gr8 news! D americans re really helpin our navy…..congrats 2 d navy
God bless the United States of America and long live US-Nigeria solidarity. Well done, buddies and thank you. I make friends only with doers and not mere talkers.
The USA do not owe us anything really but they do what they can to make things happen. Remember the US Navy partnering with our PICOMSS to deliver the network of coastal radar stations which has netted many a miscreant in our EEZ, SWICK boats, SEAL training missions with our SBS, support with the reactivation of a C130 Hercules?
Since 2003, they have transferred a total of seven durable 1,041 ton, 2,000+ ton and 3,000+ ton ships to Nigeria. I suspect that things can only get better. Meaningful gestures.
That said, the NN need all the big ships that they can get and appear to be hitting a trajectory now. In tandem with the plans for OPVs, we really need to expand our major combat assets base by picking up the pair of German F122 frigates, now that the flagship Aradu is on the cusp of being upgraded. That would give each of our three fleet commands one frigate.
As for significant assets, two 700+ ton Lerici-class MCMVs are said to be undergoing reconfiguration so that they emerge as intermediate-range patrol vessels. The “L.E Emer”, a 1025 ton OPV of the Irish Navy could also be on the NN’s radar.
Concerning new assets, we could tie up a total of four P18N and Pipavav stealth 1800-2000 ton OPV-corvettes within the next 18-24 months and a further two Pipavav units within 18-36 months – ALL six ships being brand-new assets.
Concerning the necessity to sustain the tempo in the realm of new fighting ships, we can either outrightly acquire or use our good credit rating with the Chinese to swoop on three Type 056 corvettes for $200-225 million.
As an aside, is there ANY WAY in which we could acquire another McDonnell-type ship and have its aft deck reconfigured to carry an Agusta or Jet Ranger helic? With a 2000+ ton displacement, she has true oceangoing capability which we could use at this time, even as we need the USNS McDonnell Oceanographic Survey Vessel to join our 1,000+ ton Bulldog-class oceanographic survey vessel(A498)
Well done to Beegeagle’s Blog’s American friends in Abuja, Lagos and in Washington for making things happen.We expected no less, buddies 🙂 and I dare say that you guys are truly dependable friends. Please remember to swing the transfer of Hu-25 Guardian MPA planes as well. Two units would do.
ELSEWHERE, BEEEGEAGLE SHED LIGHT ON
THE
HU-25 GUARDIAN
(note the 3,350km range)
The HU-25 Guardian is a medium-range
surveillance fixed-wing aircraft. Also
referred to as the Coast Guard’s “Falcon”,the aircraft is a military derivative of the Dassault Falcon 20 business jet, of which more than 500 were built for worldwide use.
The HU-25 performs search and rescue, law enforcement such as migrant and drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, and military readiness. The first of 41 HU-25s was delivered in February 1982 and deliveries were complete by December 1983.
The HU-25A and HU-25D are 56ft 3in in length(the HU-25C is 57ft 6in), with a wingspan of 53ft 6in and height of 17ft 7in. The service ceiling is 42,000ft, though current avionics restrict operations to 28,000ft and below. Maximum cruise speed at altitude is 420kts, with a maximum operating speed of .855 Mach. Sea-level maximum airspeed is 350kts.
Key features of the Falcon include its dash speed and capable mission sensors. The three models of the HU-25 (-A, -C, and –D) are distinguished by their sensor complement.
The HU-25A has an APS-127 surface search radar. The HU-25C has an APG-66 air-to-air/surface search radar,electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor,and tactical workstation. The HU-25D has
an APS-143B multi-mode radar, EO/IR and tactical workstation. A sensor upgrade program in 2002-03 improved capabilities in HU-25Cs and reconfigured 6 HU-25As into HU-25Ds. An avionics upgrade in 2005-06 upgraded the navigation system with modern equipment common to the HH-65B.
Most of the HU-25s have been
decommissioned already, with complete
phase-out by 2014. They will be replaced by the HC-144A Ocean Sentry.
Performance
Maximum speed: 862 km/h (465 knots, 536 mph) (max cruise) at6,100 m (20,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 750 km/h (405 knots, 466 mph) (econ cruise) at 12,200m (40,000 ft)
Stall speed: 152 km/h (82 knots, 95 mph)
Range: 3,350 km (1,808 naut mi, 2,080 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,800 m (42,000 ft) (absolute)
Good news for the navy, 40 vessels arrested in one year, new ships coming, naval také over of PICOMMS assets, refit of Aradu,Mine counter vessels e.t.c come 2015 we will see a navy we gonna be proud of.
@ oga G8T ,Aradu is under going refit?
Not yet but plans are ongoing , but the two mine counter measure vessels are being fixed at the naval Dockyard.
Congrats to the Nigerian navy!
Thanks to the US, from time to time they can actually behave well.
And KUDOS to you Beegie Baba! once again you called it right. on point as usual.
Carry on the great work.
@Oga Ozed. Many thanks. Will do.
@Oga Jimmy and Obix. Those who should know say that the NNS Aradu is scheduled to be refitted at a facility in Dubai – offshoring is it. Knocks down the cost to the public till.
In any case, that has been on the cards for a while now. When the HMOS Defence visited Lagos in October 2011 for the induction of three additional units of 17 metre Manta Mk.II ASD Littoral Interceptors, she made it known to NTA News that the refit of the Aradu is a project of the highest priority.
She also visited the Naval Dockyard at that time to see today’s NNS Andoni which was then under construction.
Good news for the Nigerian Navy…Congrats!
Oga Beeg if i may ask, what exactly has been the benefit of having Britain as an ally?
Have they even been able to transfer any military hardware at all??
Or are they just good at badmouthing the military and all things Nigerian?
NIGERIAN NAVY ARREST 40 VESSELS IN 3 MONTHS OVER OIL THEFT
WEEKLY TRUST
25 May, 2013
The Nigerian Navy yesterday said its maritime patrol units in the Niger Delta region had arrested 40 vessels loaded with stolen crude oil.
Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor made the remarks at a media briefing on the 57th Navy anniversary in Abuja yesterday.
He said the Navy has increased its presence at the sea and between November 2012 and January 2013, 40 vessels laden with stolen oil were arrested by various commands.
“There is at least one Navy ship conducting patrols at the sea everyday. The ships arrested are being handed over to relevant agencies such as the police and the EFCC for prosecution and we are monitoring them,” he added.
Awesome! Sir Beags, what do we know about the refit of NNS Aradu?
This is extremely good news. I can puff my chest out and chuffed . I have from day one always stressed the importance of maintaining high level relations between the U.S.. and Nigeria. This is an example of a symbiotic relationship both countries get something out of it. The gulf of guinea which is extremely sensitive to both Nigeria and America’s economic well being gets more real hardware to be monitored. In return more and more Naval officers and ratings are where they should be -offshore on ships that work..
The ocean going survey ship is extremely important because for mapping purposes of telling the N.N where the deep and shallow areas are, where there are abundant fish stocks where are real maritime boundaries are, Isolated un- inhabited islands .
I also agree with OGA NNAMDI that LT. Gen iHEJIRIKA and The CDS Ola Ibrahim based on the quality of work they have done/ are still doing should be made 4 star generals.
I look forward to the day in the very near future when we can truly say the Nigerian Navy is a true blue blooded Navy .
Congratulations to both Countries
God bless America !
God bless Nigeria!
BTW OGA BEEGS
Is that a definitive yes on the refit of the ARADU. if nah so we go rename NN EBELE O! EEH
NIGERIAN NAVY ARREST 40 VESSELS IN 3 MONTHS OVER OIL THEFT
WEEKLY TRUST
25 May, 2013
The Nigerian Navy yesterday said its maritime patrol units in the Niger Delta region had arrested 40 vessels loaded with stolen crude oil.
Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor made the remarks at a media briefing on the 57th Navy anniversary in Abuja yesterday.
He said the Navy has increased its presence at the sea and between November 2012 and January 2013, 40 vessels laden with stolen oil were arrested by various commands.
“There is at least one Navy ship conducting patrols at the sea everyday. The ships arrested are being handed over to relevant agencies such as the police and the EFCC for prosecution and we are monitoring them,” he added.
My good Colonel, sir. You have bounced back 🙂
REF your question, in it lies the answer. Tis a world in which we have talkers and we have doers.
THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS FROM JANUARY 2012 REFER
” The US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission is only one of three such commissions with African countries to the south of the Sahara. The other two are with Angola and South Africa.
We said before now that the USA, even with her overflow of greedy cowboy-types everywhere would turn out to be the more dependable ally than our traditionally “fence-sitting and ambivalent friend and mother country” with her image obsession even in a world where we stand on sand and not on egg shells. The antecedents are there for all to see.
British diplomacy has derailed and that accounts for her loss of influence globally. Activists helped to derail it. What the UK had on offer for Nigeria at a time like this was to threaten to withhold aid to drive home her quest to present herself as being gay-friendly on an unparalleled scale.
Unfortunately, Nigeria’s budget has nothing to do with grants-in-aid. This is not Mozambique or Tanzania. So like our own Senate President told a visiting high official from Germany, the UK can stuff all their aid. He actually said “they can go to hell”
We have stated previously that NNS Ologbo, Kyanwa, Obula, Nwamba and Thunder all came through the USA to support maritime security in Nigeria. Ditto the RMAC coastal radar sites. What came from Britain other than hollow rhetoric and an obsession with pretending to know Nigeria best, which was probably why they would not toe the American line in the “knowledge” that warships would be used to attack the Niger Delta rather than to police sealanes?
America would stand with a friend (even if lucre is on their minds) for as long as they can while Britain would pontificate from the fence, using her minions to churn out insidious propaganda while engineering “aid-for-gay-rights” schemes.
I chose America an eon ago – brazen, greedy, brash but infinitely more dependable when in a spot of bother. Well done, Washington.
On point Oga Beegs. Totally on point!!
When we have “friends” like U.K, who wants enemies…
This is VERY GOOD NEWS!!! The Navy is gradually being repositioned to take it’s rightful place in the scheme of things. As most of our National Wealth (oil and gas and fishery stocks) come from the sea, it is extremely important that we gain/retain the ability to effectively patrol our EEZ. Thus pirates and oil-bunkerers will stay away from our domain or at the very least the incidence of piracy/oil theft will be reduced to the barest minimum. I am particularly impressed that at least now there is at least one Nigerian Navy ship conducting patrols at sea every day- which means that we are gradually getting to the point where we can maintain a Continous At Sea Detterence.
I have always been of the view that the US never lets ‘it’s mouth write a cheque that it’s body can’t cash’ – our relatioinship with them is based on practical realities of ensuring that the Strategic Intrest of both Countries (i.e. – security in the Gulf of Guinea) is accorded top priority. Beegz has articulated it comprehensively already so I won’t dwell on the practical assistance the US has given us over the years. That is why when they sometimes ;irritate us with Human Rights bla bla’ we shouldn’t get to upset – as at the end of the day when the chips are down, they deliver and big time!!.
Regarding the United Kingdom, I would simply say that based on our historical links, much more is expected from them in the form of direct millitary assitance (e.g. – transfer of decommisinoned OPVs} however I am aware that our Navy gets some practical assitance in the form of training and that an important facility paid for by the UK was recently commissioned either at Navy Town Ojo or at the Western Naval Command HQ – Beegz please help me out on this. So regarding the UK, please let’s not knock them but simply say, thanks but you can do much much more.
Any word on the 6 Coastal Parol Vessels that are being refurbished in Holland (?)
With all these OPVs comming into the inventory of the Nigerian Navy from China, India and the US, i believe the Nigerian Navy should now focus on getting WARSHIPS – like frigates, coverttes, replenishment vessels like oilers/resupply ships and eventually submarines. We could start by purchasing the 2 recently decommissioned German F122 Bremen Class frigates. We could also purchase recently decommisioned frigates/corvettes from South Korea/China. It is important that our Navy attain true blue water capability as soon as possible. Then we have to look at the aerial wing of our Navy and aquire ASW capable helos and fixed wing Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Regarding Naval excercises, charity begins at home, lets start having regular (preferably twice yearly) joint Naval operations/excercises with our Neighbours in the Gulf of Guinea, – Cameroun, Equitorial Guinea, Benin, Ghana, Senegal. That way the entire Gulf of Guinea becomes a no go zone for pirates/oil bunkers. We can then have annual excercises with the South African Navy with an emphasis on ASW as they are currently the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa that operate submarines.
We shall overcome – ONWARD TOGETHER!!
Yeah,Mighty Yagz. Concerning fighting ships, China have been decommissioning their well-armed Type 53H1 and Type 53H2 frigates (53 ships in total) and there still about forty units left to be withdrawn.
What they do is convert some to OPVs and transfer them to the MSA which is equivalent to their Coast Guard. Others have been transferred to friendly navies – in much the same way as the Americans have been transferring Hamilton-class and Oliver Hazard Perry ships.
Bangladesh, which took delivery of a US-built Hamilton-class ship(USCGC Jarvis) two days ago and have been offered a pair of 1990s vintage Type 53H2 Jianghu frigates by China. Beijing offered the
frigates “at a very low rate on
condition that Bangladesh would bear
refurbishment and defence equipment
costs for the off-the-shelf ships.”
Nextdoor in Burma, they have already taken delivery of a pair of older 1980s vintage Type 53H1 frigates.
China, in August 2012, offered to assist Nigeria with her fleet modernisation. That would include new assets and used ones alike. So I really would suggest that we seek a govt-govt transaction for that. We could tie up a deal three units of the new Type 056 corvettes and throw in a pair of used Type 53H2 frigates(including the cost of refurbishment) and three Harbin Z-9EC anti-submarine warfare helics in a tidy $300m wrap-up.
Yes, Mighty Yagz.
There is a British-assisted JOINT MARITIME SECURITY TRAINING CENTRE(JMSTC) at the Navy Town, Lagos which is a DHQ-level facility. It is still in its early days and primarily trains military personnel of the Navy and the Army Amphibious Forces. Expected to be of secondary concern is the training of security personnel who operate in the maritime domain – eg Marine Police and SSS
FOCUS ON THE BRITISH-NIGERIAN DHQ JOINT MARITIME SECURITY TRAINING CENTRE
When I visited the Special Boat Service Camp last year, I had a brief chat and a photo opportunity with the Commandant of the JMSTC, Captain AD Bingel.
A bit about Captain(NN) AD Bingel
CAPTAIN (NN) ALEXANDER D BINGEL
MSS psc BSc Dip MPA MLCJ MILD
Navy Captain Alexander Dalin Bingel was born in Jos, Plateau State on 13 July 1967. He had his pre-primary/primary education at Fatima Private School Jos, after which he proceeded to Government College Keffi, Nassarawa State (then Plateau State).
He enrolled into the Nigerian Defence
Academy (NDA) Kaduna as a member of
the 39 Regular Combatant Course in 1987. He graduated as a midshipman in 1991 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry.
His first deployment was onboard NNS ENYIMIRI(a Mk.9 corvette) stationed in Moronvia, Liberia during the ECOMOG peace enforcement mission, 1991/92. He has attended several military courses including the Sub-Technical and
Long Courses at NNS QUORRA, Lagos. The Junior and Senior Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, Kaduna.
He also attended the Next Generation of African Leadership Course (USA) and the Maritime Assault Course. He is a pioneer student of the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre (JMSTC). He completed the VIP Protection course with the State Security Services (SSS) in 1997.
Additionally, he holds a Diploma
Certificate in Computer Programming,
and two Master Degrees from the
University of Lagos; that is, a Master
Degree in Public Administration (MPA)
and a Master Degree in International law and Diplomacy (MILD). He also holds a Masters Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (MLCJ) from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He is a community member of the African Centre for Strategic Studies, a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) amongst others.
He has held several appointments in the
Nigerian Navy including Instructor,
Nigerian Navy Basic Training School
(NNBTS), Officer in Charge (OIC) NNS
YOLA, Foreign Liaison Officer, AFCSC Jaji,
Naval Assistant to Chief of Admin DHQ, Amphibious officer and Executive Officer
NNS OFFIOM. His last appointment was
the Executive Officer/Training Coordinator, Nigerian Navy Special Boat
Service (NN SBS). He is presently the Commandant, Joint Maritime Security and Training Centre, (JMSTC) Lagos since June 2011.
Alex is married and his hobbies include reading, football and travelling.
Yeah..rugged seadogs onboard, ONWARD TOGETHER !! Your service hardly ever disappoints our compatriots in whatever you set your hands and minds on.
Keep it up.
Hmm good news to be received with caution, under what terms are the transfer? can we arm this ship for full assault by a third party( this will definitely be unacceptable)? can we install SAMs and ASM’s? unders the transfer conditions,can this babies give us true blue water capabilities?
I believe the purpose of this transfers is to help curtail oil theft,police EEZ ( anti-piracy) and stabilize the Deltas and gulf of Guinea. Mutual benefits( though obviously skewed in our advantage).
While we should be grateful for this great “dash(es)”;it goes a long way to help build our dear NN. however, we should still strive to develop our local ship yards and a true blue water navy for power projection,political influence territorial safety. We should build brand new Frigates and Corvettes with what it takes to truly project power and wield influence.
I understand that the Bangladeshis have a template for the installation of AShMs and SAMs on the ex-USCGC Jarvis, which is now the biggest ship in their fleet.
If true and when that is up and running, it should provide a template. Personally, I really do not see why Israeli or Singaoporean SSMs and SAMs cannot be affixed.
Beeg, my friend, long time no post! hehehe! Is Nigeria looking at Israeli systems? The Advanced Naval Attack Missile (Gabriel 5) is worth looking at for your Hamilton class. AFAIK, there is not much problem of arming them to NNS Thunder and your other future Hamilton ships.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
There are technical reasons why this (up-arming) may not be as simple as one might wish. Weight, center of gravity, and electrical capacity are all near the available limit already, although the removals of heavy, power consumptive, outdated air search radar, combat information and ESM gear may allow some flexibility.
Us excess defense Article Act and other guiding principles requires an inter-governmental agreement that would cover the use of transferred equipment. Purpose of transfer and possible upgrade is usually clearly stated( Section 505 of the FAA , in cases where the transferred equipment is considered over-armed for the purpose for which it was transferred, there will be a stripping down ( removal of some equipment ( mostly radar,CIWS and Missiles) considered to confer an unintended advantage on the receiving country).
In cases of clear misuse or intent to misuse, support can be withdrawn(stated clearly) and or actions taken( though never done before and not stated in the FAA act,but is enshrined in Intelligence agencies doctrine) to deny such recipient the continual use of such platforms under US law.
There are strings usually attached, the meals is not completely free;however we are grateful because they are delicious.
Greetings folks, 1st thank you US and congratulations to the NN. This is excellent use of soft power. Throw in a perry or two (without too much don’ts of course)and they can say what ever they would like to say. Ha ha ha. Oga beegz, did David Mark actually say that! Cool!
Oga yagz, didn’t know about the boats in Holland, pls explain.
King solorex, u took the word out of my mouth! I think we should look at creating strategic relationships with brazil, india, south korea and ukraine in the area of ship building technology(the list is not exhaustive). As for the strings, who cares as long as we are saving the nation from economic drain. We can’t seriously regard the hamilton class as a warship! Not even when we fix it with missiles. I say we take what we can while we continue to acquire dedicated battle vessels. Remember, OPVs and covettes are regarded as training ships for ffg and ddg. Imagine how many more of our naval officers will now have valuable experience!
Finally, to add to what oga yagz have said, maybe it time we also give our neibours something too. If we can mass produce those seaward patrol boats, why not throw some to ghana, togo, sierra leone, liberia etc. Then we too can start tell them what not to do(scratch the last part, just kidding)
Yes, Ifiok. He said that in December 2011 on NTA News.
DAILY PUNCH carried a bit of it thus
“Speaking while receiving the German
Ambassador to Nigeria, Dorothee
Janetzke-Wenzelin, in his office on
Thursday, Mark said the Senate would
not change its position in the face of
threats by some foreign nations.
He restated his position that countries
could withdraw their aid to Nigeria if
they wished on account of the law on
the same sex marriage. Mark said, “It is unfair to tie whatever assistance or aid to Nigeria to the laws we make in the overall interest of our citizens, otherwise we are tempted to believe that such assistance comes with ulterior motives.
“If the assistance is aimed at mortgaging our future, values, custom
and ways of life, then they should as
well keep their assistance.”
NTA NEWS was more direct and this was precisely what he said on tape
“countries that want to withdraw aid on the issue of same sex marriage can go to hell”
@Ifiok. Concerning the transfer of military items to sister republics, we have been doing that. Nigeria provided Equatorial Guinea with her first naval vessel – 20 metre patrol craft way back in 1986. Shortly afterwards, we transferred some Bulldog trainers to Benin and in 1989, we presented the Ghana Air Force with a squadron of L29 Delfin advanced trainer/light attack jets.
All items were given 100% free of charge.
I really wish we can negotiate a right of space with Sao Tome and Principe for an FOB under joint command of NNS Victory (Eastern Naval Command) to house a sizable navy group backed with light air wing plus army amphibious commando. This will not only help the navy create an offshore “gate” but will be a clear projection of power into the Bight of Biafra like never before. The host country and our old time kid sister nations Gabon and Equitorial Guinea, who have always looked up to us in times past for security assistance will be most beneficial of having us right behind their “walls”.
Although Cameroon and France will develop high blood pressure over that, lol. But the political and security benefits is great enough. If late Ojukwu could pull same deal off during the civil war, I believe it will be possible for us to also do now.
EDIT: “…under joint command of NNS Victory (Eastern Naval Command) and Amphibious Brigade of 82 Div of Nigerian Army…”
General Beegz, thanks for the JMSTC update/details. I knew that the Brits had done something in this regard but could’nt quite remember what. Damn!! the Commander Navy Captain AD Bingel is one heck of a guy!! All those masters degrees and he still has time to be an SBS operative!! Let’s hope that the Navy ensure that he passes on his wealth of experience either as an instructor or lecturer (in due course after hitting flag rank) at the NDA or National War College.
Oga Ifiok- about 6 of our coastal patrol craft are being revamped by (TP Marine) in Holland. In fact the company had to move to a bigger facility to ensure that they were in a position to do the work. The whole deal seems to be shrouded in secrecy – but don’t be surprised if in the very near future- the NN suddenly commission these 6 revamped platforms. Beegz any update on how the refurbishment of these 6 vessels is going?
It seems that the Navy initally concentrated on getting coastal patrol vessels (Mantra, Shaldag etc) to ensure that the creeks, habours and our shallow waters could be adequately patrolled. Thereafter the emphasis moves to OPVs which can patrol to the outer limits of our EEZ. Our Navel officers and ratings can now get hands on experience in vessels that actually work. The next task should be to get proper warships like destroyers, frigates and corvettes as well as Landing Platform Docks and fleet replenishment vessels/oilers to ensure that we have a true blue-water capability. Our Navy should then embark on goodwill visits to ‘show the flag’ and promote our countries image abroad.
Whilst NNS Aradu (in my humble opinion) should remain our Navy’s flagship due to her seniority in the service, bigger platforms like the Absalom Class Multi role vessel currently in operation with the Danish Navy, shoud be purchased. The 2 German Bremen Class F122 frigates which have recently been decommissioned should also be purchased as a stop-gap measure until our Govt has the balls to purchase brand new warships in the mould of FREMM frgates or SIGMA corvettes. Morroco wey no get half our wealth don do am- so e no hard!!
We should then look at fixed wing assets like Orion P3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. We have 2 Fokker-27 Aircraft that were operated by the NAF prior to being replaced by the ATR-42 MP Aircraft. They should be revamped and transferred to the Nigerian Navy (Beegz – I know you are not really keen on this, opting instead for our Navy purchasing the HU-25 Guardian aircraft to perform the MPA, – agreed, but let’s revamp and use what we already have in our inventory (Fokker-27s), which can be used for patroling the creeks/immeadiate coasts, whilst the HU-25s can patrol our extensive EEZ.)
With regard to rotary wing assets, we should get capable ASW helicopters. I’m not sure if our Lnyx Helicopters (2 left?) are capable of being upgraded and returned to service, but even if they can be, we should get newer ASW helos like the Super Lynx (time for Britain to play ball) or get some from China (Harbin Z-9EC) to ensure that together with the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (equipped for ASW), foreign subs can’t easily operate in our EEZ without our knowledge.
And there my friends ends the Naval epistle for the day!!
On the question of logistics, our Naval Bases and in particular our FOBs must be well equipped and have adequate fuel stocks/depots to ensure that our Navy can maintain a credible 24 hour Continous At Sea Detterence. That way Pirates and oilbunkers will know that Nigeria’s EEZ is a NO-GO Area.
Oga Nnamdi, Nigeria have Joint Development Zones for oil with Equato-Guinea and Sao Tome. Both arrangements detail a 60:40 sharing formula in favour of Nigeria and also encapsulate joint security protocols on the defence of the resource-rich areas within which context your suggestion is plausible given the fact that much of the tasks attendant to that fall to Nigeria.
Beyond that, we have very good relations with Sao Tome who are our nextdoor maritime neighbours in Central Africa.
During the mid-2000s, their President was toppled whilst he was visiting Nigeria. After several days during which the mutineers held out, President Obasanjo told them to stand down or have their coup reversed by direct military action. The putschists blinked but President Obasanjo did not stop at that. Alongside CDS General Ogomudia and the Guards Brigade Commander, he shepherded the President back to his country and he continued to serve as his country’s leader.
Expectedly, that has engendered very warm relations between Sao Tome and Nigeria ever since.
Mighty Yagz, I am almost certain that the 20 metre Swiftships patrol craft, of which we own four units, were part of that contract to refit six patrol craft. Part of that contract appears to have been outsourced to ICARUS MARINE of South Africa.
A 65 ft US-BUILT SWIFTSHIPS patrol craft of the Nigerian Navy..refurbished to perfection
See
http://africanglobe.net/africa/russia-takes-delivery-south-african-designed-patrol-boats/
“Icarus Marine has done some work in
Nigeria in conjunction with TP Marine (refitting old patrol boats) and may get
an order for multiple patrol boats”
end of quote
Yes, TP Marine moved to a bigger facility which is able to undertake the refit of patrol craft up to 25 metres in length.
See
http://tpmarine.nl/moving-to-new-premises.aspx
Quote
“TP Marine has moved to a larger new
shipyard in Wieringerwerf, in the North of the Netherlands. The former shipyard in IJmuiden had become to small as the
companies activities and ambitions have grown. This larger production site has many benefits. First of all, it enables TP Marine to build vessels up to 25 metres in length. Secondly, TP Marine is now able to to build even more vessels at the same time. The new shipyard provides direct access to the waterside (Lake IJssel) and is located close to the North Sea.
The new shipyard has already showed its benefits: TP Marine has taken on an
assignment for the refit of 6 large patrol
boats of the Nigerian Navy.”
end of quote
MOVING ON THEREFROM, remember that we posted FIRST PHOTOS of the Swiftships, refurbished to perfection, and those have never before been photographed in Nigerian service before then, even as we have owned them since 1986. Now they have re-emerged and look brand-new.
Given their size – 20 metres – and sudden re-emergence and the capacity of the new TP Marine yard to handle little ships up to 25 metres, it is almost certain that TP Marine and Icarus Marine refitted those four units of 20 metre patrol craft and two unknown others.
My two kobo
Oga Beeg,
Thank you jare! I am aware of those events and arrangements, that’s why I wish we leverage on that and ask for an FOB on that strategic Island which is the sentry post between West Africa and Central Africa coasts.
I am sure Cameroon and France will cringe, but we have enough reasons to take that bold step. If we don’t do that right now, someday we might wake up to hear that South Africa or even Angola has beaten us to it then we start whimpering.
As an aside, any updates from air aficionados would be most welcome.
New hangars and ground equipment going up simultaneously at five airbases – MDGR, SOK, MNN, MKD and BEN. What’s the rhythm, gentlemen?
The fresh haul of Mi-171Sh Terminator assault helicopters and Mi-35P attack helicopters…any deliveries confirmed yet? Tell us here or tell me backstage.
@Oga Beeg,
I once asked if there are active government interests to develop acquisition programmes. I for one have advanced degree in engineering + some industrial experiences. So most of the so called “hi-tech” vehicles and equipment can be designed and made if the government is willing to assemble such task team(s) and give accesses.
If your response requires privacy, you cam mail me on “homerac7@yahoo.com”.
Some of us know enough to get the tasks done. cheers!
Back to naval matters. We appear to have forgotten that the joint NN-NIMASA Maritime Guard Command are expected to take delivery of three Offshore Support Vessels(OSVs) as well. Following up on any possible leads in that direction.
@Nnamdi. We are lucky to have footholds in the Sahara and on the Atlantic..in the Sahel and in the Gulf of Guinea; with terrestrial and maritime neighbours alike, sandwiched strategically between West Africa and Central Africa.
Being a West African nation while having maritime frontiers and/or terrestrial frontiers with Central African nations such as Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome, Cameroon and Chad means that we are open to vagaries and undercurrents emanating from two sub-regions simultaneously.
As we have begun to take serious steps to master our precincts in the sahelian and desert areas, so must we also keep a keen eye on our Central African neighbourhood in the Gulf of Guinea. Today, the Sahel poses the more pertinent problem of physical security but our economic security interests are embedded in the Gulf of Guinea.
We need to be masters of all turfs and terrains which impact our national security – in the Sahel or in the Gulf, mountains or creeks, in West Africa or in Central Africa.
HTMS Naresuan, a Chinese-built Type 53H2 frigate of the Royal Thai Navy seen here in Hong Kong
The Burmese Type 53s are 2,000 ton ships armed with four anti-ship missiles, two 100mm guns, and lots of depth charges. Bangladesh are getting two Type 53H2 frigates were built in the early 1990s and carry eight anti-ship missiles. A total of fifty three of the older Type 53H1(1980s vintage) and Type 53H2 frigates. The design was inspired by the Soviet Riga class frigates, which China developed from the original 1,400 ton design to a missile-carrying 2,000-2,500 ton warship equipped with modern
electronics.
The Thai Navy are right now upgrading the fire controls of the Type 53H2 frigates with help from SAAB. Egypt also operate the 1980s vintage Type 53H1 frigates.
The latest export-only variant of the Type 53 frigate is the Type 53H3 variant, better known as the F22. Pakistan were the first customers for those well-armed ships, closing a US$750 million deal for four units and four embarked Harbin Z-9EC ASW helicopters. All of those delivered, the Pakistanis are reaching out for an additional four F22 frigates.
Bangladesh have one brand-new F22P frigate on order to complement the used 1990s vintage Type 53H2 frigates acquired at bargain prices from China which feature 100mm guns, depth charges, a flight deck and eight AShMs. Burma for her part got the earlier 1980s which carry 100mm guns, depth charges and four AShMs.
The point to note is that the C802 and C803 SSMs on board are noted for being near-inescapable with a kill ratio in excess of 97% and an imperious range of 200-280km.
We need to stop obsessing over anyone’s goods. If the Egyptians, Thais and Pakistanis with all their exposure to western-manufactured ships find them to be worthy of induction, we should toe the line even of for the force multiplier effect.
It should be noted that after the Type 53H2 frigates were acquired, the Thais still took on a pair of Chinese-built 1,440 ton missile OPVs complete with flight decks. Those have already seen action offshore Somalia with the international anti-piracy task force.
The Chinese themselves have deployed Type 054 frigates and Type 052 destroyers for that mission. The ships went to Somalia and returned to China successfully. Their OPVs and embarked Harbin Z-9EC helios are right now patrolling the disputed Diaoyu Islands on the frontier with Japan while reconfigured ex-PLAN Navy Type 53 frigates(now Coast Guard ships) and new Type 056 corvette-OPVs are patrolling the disputed South China sea.
1 found that picture online, apparently its a navy exercise
I can see the Stallion painted on the HQ of UNION Bank on the Marina in Lagos. In the distance, to the left, is one of the Landing Ships(Tank). The ship on the right side is unfamiliar
I don’t think it’s a naval exercise. Seeing that the nigerian flag is flying under one of the navy’s augusta helicopters. A practise only carried out during ceremonial events.
So we are left with either the nation’s 50th anniversary celebrations fleet review or the nigerian navy’s own jubilee celebration.
In 2010 during the fleet review, the british, french and italians were the nations that big ships, while the U.S sent a maritime patrol aircraft.
*british sent the “HMS ocean” helicopter carrier
*french. ???
*italians ???
If we can figure out the ships the french and italians came with, then the identity of this ship might just be a step to been revealed.
The ship in the picture is that of the french navy. The “aviso CDT- blaison” . French OPV at nigeria’s 50th anniversary presidential fleet review.
Nice one, Generale Henry 🙂 Life Member of the Board of Trustees, BEEGEAGLE’S BLOG. You are a national asset, my brother.
NNS AMARYA to the left, NNS AMBE far behind and a foreign naval vessel probably that of the French as mentioned. Last year, I can remember the keel for the second Seward Defense Boat was laid during the commissioning of NNS ANDONI. I hope we have made progress and in no time have another SDB commissioned. One thing of interest is that our navy undertook this project and accomplished it with little support outside. We only need to make bold steps and have our naval engineers understudy the 70 percent local construction of the second Chinese corvette, for a project much more bigger in length and capacity.
The synergy of satellite interceptions, maritime assets , air surveillance units, combat troops headquarters and border patrol units should well be enhanced for speedy transfer of information-monitoring-decision making. We can take a strong ambitous approach towards developing a Network Based Centric Operations Centre monitored by a body under the NSA. This body will be primed from any of the following international bodies;
1. Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) – USA
2. Network Enabled Capability (NEC) – UK
3. Network Based Defence (NBD) – Sweden
4. 4th Generation Warfare (4GW) – Australia
5. AT3 systems -USA.
6. Global Information Grid-USA.
7. Navy Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC)-USA.
8. WIN-T -USA.
Battlefield ops is dynamic and we must follow the trend no matter how challenging. A starting point is for such body have a link to our satellite military apps, PICOMMS stations, TRACON and on board satellite information sys. With our maritime corridor running about 84,000sq nm and a greater land mass stretching into great distance, this synergy will help in no small measure to address response time in the event of attack. A space Analyst once said, A country without control of the space is like having ELEVEN PLAYERS ON THE FIELD WITHOUT A GOAL KEEPER. GREAT NIGERIA keep matching forward.
Nice one, Oga G8T Nigeria
My ogas on the top, this will need a major change in doctrine especially how we would conduct C4I. We are still havent got the basics in place to deploy that level of network intelligence into our TRADOC. We are getting there but we still have a log way to go.
Beegeagle GCFR, your hand dey strong well-well keep up the good work.
Haaa..Oga Somoric. Dis wan don pass AWOL, na pure abandonment. You jus forget ya men insai trench for months! 🙂
The FG surely need to do something SWIFT about the acquisition of these very useful assets. Alongside the Aradu, two Type 53H2s and with three new Type 056 corvettes, we would have a combative essence which affords us a breather for about 5 years, after which we can begin to place orders for the phased delivery of brand-new frigates.
RECENTLY DECOMMISSIONED GERMAN F122 FRIGATES (BREMEN CLASS)
Built by Blohm+Voss, makers of Nigeria’s MEKO 360 frigate, NNS Aradu F89, two of the eight-ship class have now been decommissioned (Koln and Rheinland-Pfaiz). The Aradu is probably 1.5 times more powerful but these ships, used to perfection in consonance with German precision, pack a major punch and feature a complete suite of naval artillery, CIWS, SAMs, AShMs and torpedoes, not to mention a flight deck.
U.S SHOULD SUPPORT NIGERIA IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMISTS – WASHINGTON TIMES
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/26/williams-us-should-support-nigeria-in-its-fight-ag/?page=all#pagebreak
Gen, which one are we taking, the 053 or the f122?
I would rather we take the 054 FFG (used) rather than 053. Why is the PLAN retiring young 53s and building 54as? We must not 4get that our physique will make it cramped in those ships and the resultantant degradation of efficiency. The f22s that the pakistani navy has are loaded with western tech (like their j17s) thus we should be careful. I’d say get the german ship short term and get the type 54A medium term (like the thais will certainly get) or we look at the indian/russian talwar or what the south koreans are rigging for their FFX program
I suggest we do BOTH sets of decomm. Type 53H2 and F122 frigates. No better time or circumstance. We already own a German frigate and we are expecting Chinese stealth OPVs. So we are transacting with both ends already. Let’s push it further in more meaningful ways.
I do not think that it would cost us more than $80 million to grab the F122s and we could spend another $15 million on minor touch-ups and training (the latter was decommissioned in March, so the sooner we pounced the better)
For the Type 53H2s, place an order for three Type 056 corvettes plus a Type 53H2 and get one FREE. The Chinese offer of assistance still stands and we have not exploited it one inch. Tis incredible really. With the P18N stealth OPVs, they have ‘entered’ so we might as well think and act long-term in sync with new realities.
My view is that when we have those frigates which would be good to go until 2025, it gives the Navy a breather so that they can reach for two Makassar LPDs@$100 million. Our LSTs are due for replacement as we all know. LPDs would afford us ‘a floating triservice presence at sea, if need be’. Those can each carry four or five helics, RHIBs, a Shaldag in its belly and house two companies of troops. Make a lot of sense at that price. Our FPSOs at sea are cumulatively worth tens of billions of dollars and more are due to come on stream through to 2015/16. So those LPDs, acquired for a pittance, would be virtual FOBs at sea.
I doubt that we can find any used Type 054 frigates. Those and the F22s and Type 056 corvettes are still too new. However, the US$230 million Type 054 frigate and the US$270 million Absalon ‘destroyer’ are my top picks for new warships aimed at fleet replenishment AFTER the used ones have been netted.
An Absalom seems better for our comtemporary needs. The ship is so versatile for various operational support missions. Combining average fire power, supply- logistics ops and troop landing. Its worth our oil cash to acquire 4 ships.
There seems to be a new wave of propaganda from boko haram. What is the army’s response ?
I am asking because I have been waiting for some hours now, browsing the internet, looking for the army’s response. Why does it take so much time to disclaim boko haram propaganda.
And could someone tell Obasanjo that he is no longer the president ? He should not be adressing the press the way he does.
NIGERIAN PIRATE GANGS EXTEND REACH OFF WEST AFRICA
http://reuters.com/article/2013/05/29/us-westafrica-piracy-insight-idUSBRE94S08320130529
Gentlemen – read the article that Beegz has posted (about Nigerian pirates extending their reach to Ivory Coast) earlier today and it made sombre reading.
It reinforces the need for our Govt to take the re-equipping of our Navy very seriously. West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea is supposed to be within our sphere of influence. Nature abhors a vacum and as such if we don’t police this area, others will. All it takes is for the National of a major foreign power to be killed or the trade route severely threatened and you will see the Warships of various foreign nations pouring in to police the Gulf of Guinea, whether we like it or not.
We still have a samll window of opporutunity within which to get our act together.
The present administration has made some commendable strides in re-equipping our Navy. However this piracy problem is a major one that requires a lot of policitical will and massive injection of funds to purchase the necessary assets to adequately patrol our EEZ.
We are the Regional /Dominant Naval Power in the area and as such the World will look up to us to at least show leadership on this issue. We can start by quickly purshasing the 2 Naval Bremen Class Frigates that have recently been decominssioned by the German Navy and also get a couple of recently decommissioned friagates from China/South Korea. The empahasis in the short term being on ensuring tahat we have enought platforms to adequately patrol the Gulf of Guinea.
My people, the frigate in the picture of naval ships in Lagos is that of SAS Amatola. The picture was taken during the June 2006 International Fleet Review. Hope this settles the issue once and for all.
Nice one. I thought it was the Amatola. Didn’t know it had ever visited Nigeria though.
I was at NNS Beecroft today. I was highly impressed by the conduct of the ratings and officers.
Right from the main entrance where visitors were politely asked to park their vehicles (under the bridge) and conveyed (by a bus belonging to the School of Underwater Warfare) to the gate of NNS Beecroft (with a model of NNS Aradu stradling the gateposts).
I saw students undergoing different kinds of training on the grounds of NNS Quora on the right.
I was on board three Shaldags. NNS Anyam (P182) I saw NNS Siri (P181) and NNS Ekun (P183) the three CombatanteIIIB FAC. Stern looking, Tav-21 wielding NNSBS operotors put up quite a display in the boat with JMSTC boldly written on it.
The enviroment was very clean/neat and the officers bent over double to please the visitors.
I was also impressed by the exhibitions by the various schools: Underwater warfare (with dept charge, mines and a torpedo, diding gearson display), Hydrography, Signal, the NNSBS etc. Nigerdock was also on ground and I saw a model of NNS Andoni.
Important pictures of landmark events in the history of the NN were on display to the right of the parade ground.
The picture is that of a forward looking force.
Man mi I am so green with ENVY . oga beegs oya o ( hurry/ now o) we need pics if them go allow am make we see something!
@OGA spirit, I go vex for you oh. Wey the pictures wey you snap for NNS beecroft now?
You know we value photos here quite a lot. Please send all the photos you took of NNSBS personnel at beecroft to OGA beeg right away.
Thanks for the written narration. Now give us visual.
True talk OGA HENRY like fela TALK AM 28 days we dey inside we dey wait…… people begin talk……o oya (okay now/ hurry now) oga spirit.
My main man Spirit, I hope u carry your camera with u chief?
Dem Shalgs – they get names? or only numbers like P 237, 255, 256?
I am sending the few pics to the Beeg one right now, I believe you will see them tommorow. Pls dont expect high quality stuff, I snapped them with my BB.
Oga spirit, nothing do you. Even if say na your eye you use snap the pictures, send am give oga beeg make we look am like that.
Oga spirit, today is almost over’o. Pls don’t let my patient hyper-ventilation be in vain.
My people, I don send dem to Oga Beeg. expect them anytime from now.
NNS Aradu is already old. We need new and modern frigate to supplement her.
I dont bliv Aradu is old, the ship need be refurbished and still remains our flagship even though we. procure some other bigger assets.we need to create a legacy around her and keep her running. I bet u if that ship undergoes first grade upgrade/refurbishments it might even compete favourably
OGA triqqah much respects for your comments
One of the things about the ARADU is that for a very long time it was the signature flagship of Nigeria. It also represents a defining moment in Nigeria’s history from LIBERIA S/L back to Trafalgar square warts and all. it needs to be repaired . We as NIGERIANS HAVE TO BUILD THE MENTALITY OF repairing things and maintaining things that are of National pride to all of us.
Yes we will buy MORE POWERFUL/ MODERN SHIPS and hopefully even the Absalom (ONE HAS TO DREAM) but like what happens in countries like the U.S. which held on to the USS Missouri all the way from when it accepted the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 till the GULF WAR1 1991IT WAS REFURBISHED it was modernized , it was made electronic , it was made computer savvy , it was made high tech, LIKE A FELLOW BLOGGER SAID IT CAN BE DONE IN DUBAI hopefully it will be done . Amen.
Is there a plan for NN to replace the Otomat anti-ship missiles on the Aradu? Is there a consideration to arm it with, say, Exocet MM40 or similar types? Also any sensor upgrade coming in? Aradu is actually a beauty that needs to have its glamour back in the spotlight. Whilte Thunder and the Gallatin will be her sidekicks.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
Old, but still useful and worth upgrading and refurbishing. Maximize the assets that the NN already has. Compared to the NNS Thunder, the Aradu is definitely much younger and more complex and capable.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
Congratulations to the Nigerian Navy, these assets are indeed helpful to your navy’s overall mission. Any word yet if there are also US Navy assets that are being looked into for possible purchase?
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
Admiral Max of The Philippines! Good to hear from you again. I can see your new online berth – nice! I trust that you shall make the best of it.
Yeah, tis been a flurry of activities here with additional capital assets for the NN and Special Forces leading a plucky effort at rolling back insurgents. Tis going well, thankfully
Good for Nigeria then for the double good news! Ill be awaiting updates on the upcoming 2nd Hamilton class for your navy. As for the NNS Thunder, any updates? For our part, the ex-USCGC Dallas is finally leaving Charleston, passing through the Panama Canal and stopping again at California. Reportedly its coming home with Harpoon missiles but so far no evidence is available…yet. Maybe Thunder will be equipped with a similar system? Would be best if it gets its anti ship missiles first before Bangladesh installs one on their ex-Jarvis.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
There is no evidence of Harpoons yet because there is no truth to those rumors. PF 16 sailed away armed just as PF 15 was.
Rufus my friend, yes it left Charleston without the missiles. But there are many considerations to be looked upon. First, it will dock on 3 US Navy bases on its entire trip (San Diego, Pearl Harbor, and Guam). Harpoons are military weapons so there’s a possibility that it be on one of those bases. Another is that upon arrival in the Philippines it will undergo drydocking for a month, preparing to be a fully commissioned navy ship. The missile info might not be very clear on accurate details, but the “official” source is the navy itself, plus a lot of “unofficial” info from naval and defense sources. The gun testing video is already out in youtube, by the way.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg)
Oga max, love what you’ve done to your blog. I hope u’re issues with taiwan will be resolved soon. U guys need to cooperate not combat. How’s ur navy acquisition plan going?
Hi ifiok umoega my friend! The taiwan issue is a small spat…what we worry more is the creeping of china at ayungin shoal (part of the spratly islands). We have a detachment of marines there in a beached old LST, but chinese ships have not left the area until now. They are starting the same tactic on how they wrestled panatag shoal last year. I hope this time the navy and coast guard will not stand down. The taiwanese are generally OK, its just they became too emotional and as i wrote in my blog, their current leader is using the issue to boost his low ratings and image.
As for the acquisitions, the latest info we got is that ex-Dallas (now BRP Ramon Alcaraz) is reportedly coming home with Harpoons. Cannot accurately confirm though since our media tend to sensationalize the news. 2 light frigates and 2 small LPD (probably similar to NZ’s HMNZS Canterburry) are also for bidding. A separate program for OPVs and corvettes are also being finalized for the navy, while Japan will be delivering 10-12 patrol vessels for the coast guard by 2014-2015. There are also incoming AW109 helicopters as well as a new program for medium sized ASW helicopters (S-70 or Wildcat category). There are also some unconfirmed plans to get more Hamiltons for 2014 & 2015, plus possibly used ships, no confirmed sources or types though. There are also plans to get more LSV similar to our Bacolod City class ships or new LST to replace our ageing assets.
Thanks for reading my blog, I’ll be posting more soon and thanks for the support! I might include a small blog on the transfer of Gallatin to Nigeria and Jarvis to Bangladesh anytime soon.
max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg)
Oh, that would be neat. I hope the spat will not affect the boats coming from taiwan. I also hope your navy will not be over burdened with maintaining a lot of used vessels though I understand that you need them now rather than later while your procurement program progresses. As for the japanese vessels, which are talking about here? I don’t think it’ll be armed. I hope guys are not ganging up against the chinese, ha ha.
Its really a long story, Taiwan & the Philippines are actually “natural allies” that share a lot. This spat should have never happen if respect of previous agreements and rule of law was followed. On China, they stole our Mischief Reef in 1996, took control of our Scarborough Shoal last year, and is threatening our beached LST garrison and Marines at Ayungin Shoal now. And you can hear a lot more news on their aggression towards the Philippines, Vietnamese and Japanese these past few months. It may look like ganging up on China but in reality its like an uneven match-up between little boys and a big fat bully! I’ll try to write on something about this in the coming weeks. And for the Japanese patrol boats, these are for the Coast Guard, so technically they’re civilian armed with water cannons and large speakers, but probably will be armed with light weapons in the Philippines. The game in my side of the world is different. Its white vs white, grey vs grey. China plays the white card, so we need to play it as well to avoid a shooting war. You want a big story, take a closer look at Japan in the next few months. I won’t be surprised if they go nuclear soon.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
I’ve been following the issues for a while now and I’ve never seize to wonder why the smaller boys can’t come together and wrestle this fat bully to the ground. On japan, I’ll be shocked to the marrows if the go nuclear, I’m sure the americans will never allow them. Rather, they may offer duel control over their nukes (say station a few bombers in japan with some gravity nukes). If only the Philippines had invested in hardwares earlier, no one would try to bully you. I hope we in nigeria are watching too!
Ifiok umoeka, it is indeed a lesson for Nigeria, although the good thing in your country’s case is the absence of a very near big bully. But it would be best to be ready. Japan is leading the small boys now in the absence of a strong US response against China, while Taiwan’s current government is too close to China and has become some sort of a China lackey, thats why the Americans dont want to supply them those F-16s their requesting. If Japan opens their constitution for re-armament, many allies will benefit, like Australia can get Jap tech for submarines (the Japanese got the most advanced diesel electric sub tech in the world) while the Philippines can get new and used weapons from Japan (those 80s Japanese destroyers are oldies but goodies!) Since they usually replace arms at an earlier timeframe than the Europeans and Americans, more so if they go full arming. As for nukes, take a peek at the Frech-Japanese deal on nukes…Japan may go Israeli way.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
Ha ha, the swedes would fight you over that( jap boats being the best). However, those jap boats are neat. If the US wants to ever get back to their standard( hunter killer) then their SSNs need to play hard and exercise aggressively with the japs. I wish that they will shade their pacifist skin too but asian hardly forget, not mention their own issues eg jap/ south korean, viet/thai, malay/ singaporean etc. Like all brilliant ideas, politics and selfish interest will always get in the way.
On the other hand, I agree with you that the Philippines navy can not afford a carrier now, no matter how romantic it sounds
That’s an arguement that sub experts can discuss separately haha! But becuase Jap subs are only for Japs, there is difficulty of assessment. In the Pacific its still dominated by Americans although Aussies, Japs and Canadians do well in sub warfare. The Chinese are capable but poor equipment plus less stringent training than the Japs will hold them off. Damn Jap subs are the most expensive put there that even the Aussies find them too expensive but worth the try. Singapore and SoKorea’s littoral sub fleet are also worth mentioning. Sadly no subs yet for Philippines and Thailand, although both have requirements for them. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam all have subs now…and only Philippines and Vietnam actively support a strong Japanese military to counter balance the Chinese in the absence of strong American response.
Max (http://maxdefense.blogspot.sg/)
What’s ur relationship with the Aussies? I think they could be good partners. Maybe u guys should think of them as you look to Soul for ur equip.
So far so good. We currently have some agreements with them on trainings, and Austal have a shipyard in the Philippines. They are part of the alliance like us so we have good relations as well. As for Seoul, yes there are plans to get weapons from them. The FA-50 is about to have contract signing, they are offering the Surion helicopter for the navy and air force, Korean shipbuilders are included in many naval projects, and they are offering a lot of equipment to all services of the Philippine armed forces. Same for the Aussies especially on the navy side.
@Beeg i saw today on CCTV that China is Currently Testing its 1st Aircraft Carrier……I believe in the Future Nigeria needs one very important to Patrol our EEZ and Gulf Coast,
@ifiok US-Japan are currently running Island drills to mimick the World War and Replay the Taking of the Japanese Island.
Tope, I think that their eyes are actually on china. On the CVA, the future is drones. I think we should certainly explore that avenue as we can’t field and maintain one even in the next 15 years (just like the Philippines navy). Its just too expensive.
Actually the NN should look into improving the Thunder just like what Bangladesh and the Philippines are planning to do instead of waiting for another ship type to come with the capabilities the NN is wishing for. In a navy with relatively few large assets like NN, it is worthwhile to maximize the ship’s capability, although be prepared to spend more than the ship’s purchase price.
Max
U see ur relationship with the US vis ours is not the same. We don’t know what assurances we had to give to get these ships. On the other hand, we may can’t bet on harpoon, rams and ESSM like you guys can. Thus we cant afford to drop all our eggs in one basket. I wish we could get those german ships. Till then, our tunder class will remain coast guard ships (until we see otherwise)
Actually i meant using any means to improve the Thunder. Like the usage of other missile models from friendly countries. I think Bangladesh is inclined to use Chinese missiles on the ex-American ship, or they cam go Otomat like their Bangabandhi (which you also have with Aradu). I havent fully confirmed but Israel is offering their missiles for the Hamiltons, like the Barak series, although the Harpoon seems fixed already. Moreso that talks about the Spyder MR and Barak 8 is reportedly being closed soon for our air defense systems.
http://vimeo.com/68208822 a video documentary on the Nigerian navy
@ tope i suspect that nigeria having an aircraft carrier in future is going to be quite controversial, due to the relatively small lenght of our coastline.
Well, as Nigeria’s economy expands it will have interests far from its coast that may yrequire the need for a few carrier type ships. But given the present state of its navy, Nigeria’s induction of a complex ship such as carriers lies far in the future. When that time comes as surely as it must, a Queen Elizabeth type class carrier would be good additions to the Nigerian Navy’s fleet.
Perhaps indian or russian is more plausibly though in intl politics, u never can say never!