06 Desember 2011

Indonesia and South Korea will compete for the tender of MRV ship for Philippine navy (photo : Kaskus Militer)

The Navy has been cleared to begin negotiations for the purchase of a multirole vessel from any of the friendly nations, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said on Sunday.

“The latest process that we had undergone with the Department of National Defense had good results and we did not encounter anymore objections,” Pama said.

“Hopefully, all the procedures required by the defense acquisition system would be finalized and early next year we can start negotiations for the acquisition,” Pama said.

But Pama said the Navy has yet to obtain President Aquino’s approval for the purchase plan, which is part of the military’s modernization.

An MRV, which costs at least P5 billion, will serve as a mother ship equipped with state-of-the-art radars and sensors for monitoring aircrafts and patrol boats, Pama said.

Early this year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin temporarily dropped the acquisition of an MRV

from the list of big-ticket items and gave priority to light sea-crafts for internal security operations and disaster response.

Gazmin changed his mind following China’s alleged intrusions into Philippine territorial waters particularly in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) where the hotly disputed Spratly islands is situated.

Last August, the Philippines acquired a patrol vessel—Hamilton-class cutter—from the United States Coast Guard for P423 million to beef up security at the Malampaya gas project. The Navy renamed it BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

“The dry-docking and repainting of PF15 costs P47.914 million while the refitting to our Navy configuration is P13.872 million. It was funded by the Department of Energy.”

On Dec. 14, the Navy with Aquino as the guest of honor will launch the commissioning of the vessel together with a Philippine-made Landing Utility Craft called BRP Tagbanua (AT296), a BO105 Helicopter (PNH422) and a refurbished Presidential Yacht called BRP Ang Pangulo (AT25).

The P189 million- BRP Tagbanua, made in Misamis Oriental, is configured to transport combat personnel, tanks, vehicles, artillery equipment, and cargoes in support of military operations and perform medical assistance as well as disaster, rescue and relief operations.

(Manila Standard Today)

21 September 2011

Canberra class LHD (image : shipsmodel)

Williamstown, Australia - BAE Systems has been engaged by the Commonwealth for the development and delivery of training for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships.

The training will rely heavily on simulation and virtual scenarios using the latest technology, including avatars.

BAE Systems Director of Maritime, Harry Bradford, said the use of advanced, computer-based technology for training had a number of advantages for the customer in terms of both cost and flexibility.

“The most obvious benefit in using computer simulation is that the technology allows us to recreate, and for the crew to interact with the LHD environment, without the actual completed ship. This means greater flexibility and lower cost for our customer.

“For instance the system is capable of familiarising various elements of the defence forces, including both army and navy, with the ship in terms of systems, capability, size and layout and these defence personnel can be in separate geographical locations across the country.

“With training commencing prior to delivery of the first ship, the flexibility of being able to train and familiarise defence forces at their home bases represents substantial cost savings for the Commonwealth.”

Mr Bradford said in addition to familiarising personnel with the LHD the training being developed by BAE Systems also included simulating emergency procedures and failure modes, all in a safe environment.

“This is also a major benefit for the crews of these ships in that we can recreate and test emergency procedures in a safe environment before procedures are implemented on the ship.”

There are also flow-on benefits from the creation of these training packages for other navy vessels.
Mr Bradford said once created, these simulator programs can be easily migrated to AWDs, ANZACs and FFGs which could benefit the navy for all future training programs.

Work is underway on the development of some of the simulated training through KBR, which developed the avatar technology used in the Virtual Ship Training and Information System (ViSTIS), to be used for the LHD. BAE Systems has also recently awarded a contract to Kongsberg Maritime to provide a custom engine room simulator for the engineers who will serve aboard the LHDs.

A team of approximately 30 people at BAE Systems will manage the training process for the LHD Project. BAE Systems is the prime contractor. The first hull is expected to arrive in Williamstown in August 2012. Delivery of the first training packages is expected in 2013 ahead of the completion of the first ship.

(BAE System)

15 September 2011

Japan already has two helicopter carriers (photo : Chosun Ilbo)

Japan plans to build a 19,500-ton aircraft carrier capable of housing helicopters after China launched its first own aircraft carrier, Chinese media reported on Wednesday. Japan already has two helicopter carriers -- the Hyuga deployed in March 2009 and the Ise deployed in March 2011 -- but the planned new vessel will be bigger.

The 22DDH is scheduled for deployment in 2015. It will be 248 m long and cost around US$1.04 billion. It is 30 percent bigger than the Ise and can carry 14 helicopters. The Ise measures 197 m, has a displacement of 13,500 tons and can carry 11 helicopters.

Although dwarfed by China's aircraft carrier, which is 320 m long and can carry 50 fighter jets, the Japanese vessel will be equipped with the latest U.S. weapons systems to maximize its capability. It will be equipped with the Raytheon air and missile defense system, which has so far only been installed on U.S. vessels, and 11 missile launchers.

Japan had several aircraft carriers during World War II, but since its defeat it has focused on developing helicopter carriers, which are deemed purely defensive. It appears to be bolstering defenses to counter China's increasing submarine warfare capabilities. The new carrier will house mainly helicopters designed for anti-submarine warfare operations.

The new carrier is expected to be used to carry F-35B VSTOL aircraft (image : connect.in)

There are increasing calls within Japan to modify the 22DDH for fighter jets. But critics say it would be unrealistic to build such an aircraft carrier since its navy has only 45,000 personnel, and the already indebted government would run deeper into debt.

Chinese media speculated that Japan could buy Lookheed Martin F-35B stealth fighters capable of vertical takeoff and landing and base them on the new carrier.

Japan is also speeding up the development of stealth fighters and drones. Since 2009, it has invested 39 billion yen (around W562.2 billion) on development of an indigenous stealth fighter codenamed ATD-X. A prototype is expected to be unveiled in 2014, and development is to be complete in 2016.

Japan's Defense Ministry is also spending 15 billion yen this year on developing drones and robots. One unmanned helicopter has already been deployed with the Self-Defense Forces, while four prototype drones have been developed.

(Chosun Ilbo)

11 Agustus 2011

HMAS Canberra LHD (photo : MurdocOnline)

Kelvin Hughes has developed an innovative helicopter landing solution on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy.



The dedicated short range helicopter control radar (SRHCR) has recently passed factory acceptance testing and will now be integrated into the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks being built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia.

It’s expected that the ships will enter service during 2014 and 2015 and will be the largest warships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

IMO regulations which prevent the use of navigation radars for helicopter control led to the requirement for a customised SRHCR.



Kelvin Hughes’ experience in naval navigation radar combined with its SharpEye™ solid state sensor technology provided the perfect solution for developing a cost-effective dedicated sensor for the landing of helicopters.

The marine navigation and surveillance specialist delivered the first system from project concept in less than 18 months, and the radar system has now passed the trials testing phase following the technical design review in December 2010.

The Kelvin Hughes Surveillance solution provides up-mast S-Band SharpEye™ solid state radar transceiver, 3.9m low profile antenna, state-of-the-art tracking software produced in conjunction with QintetiQ, providing helicopter track data to the command system with no operator intervention.

The ATC room houses a Kelvin Hughes MantaDigital™ processor and display console with a slave display connected via fibre optic cables in the operations room. The system can also be used as a stand-alone manned station, providing a back-up solution based-on mission requirements.

Gary Potts, LHD Combat & Communications Manager, for BAE Systems Australia said: I have been most impressed with Kelvin Hughes’ dedication and responsiveness.

Barry Wade, Managing Director Kelvin Hughes Surveillance business said: We are delighted that BAE Systems selected SharpEye™ for this application, within its class the performance and flexibility of SharpEye™ is second to none as illustrated on this prestigious programme.

(Kelvin Hughes)

03 Agustus 2011

Galicia class LPD (photo : Militaryphotos)

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia sent a sales team to the Philippines in July to follow up on initial interest from the archipelagic nation in regenerating its antiquated naval fleet.

Designs were presented for a landing platform dock (LPD) and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), the company said on 2 August. Noone was available for further comment "because of the summer holidays".

Navantia built two 14,000-tonne Galicia-class LPDs for the Spanish Navy (Armada Española) in the late 1990s; SPS Galicia and SPS Castilla have both been employed on disaster relief/humanitarian aid operations - a capability that would be called upon frequently in and around the Philippines, an area prone to extreme seismic and weather events.

Avante class OPV (image : Navantia)

The company is also offering its Avante 1400 OPV design. Nearly 80 m long and displacing about 1,500 tonnes, this vessel is based on the POVZEE (Patrullero Oceánico para la Vigilancia de la Zona Económica Exclusiva) ships on order for the Venezuelan Navy.

Navantia said that it sent a team to Manila at the beginning of 2011 to "sound out the possible future needs" of the Philippine Navy. The follow-up visit in July came after the Philippines government "asked Navantia to present officially these two products that fit the future needs of their navy".

Navantia's workload has become increasingly export-oriented as its main client, the Armada, has been restricted by three consecutive years of defence budget cuts. The company's director of new construction, Angel Recaman, told Jane's earlier this year that around half its work was now for foreign customers.

(Jane's)

28 Juli 2011

Canberra class LHD (photo : Mashpedia)

WILLIAMSTOWN, Australia - The Land-Based Test Site (LBTS) at BAE Systems in Williamstown for the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) project is now complete.

BAE Systems, Saab and L-3 Communications (L-3) completed the installation in July 2011 as a key milestone in the development of the integrated combat and communications systems.

Director BAE Systems Maritime Business Unit Harry Bradford said testing in the LBTS will commence immediately with the final testing concluding next year.

“The major activity of the test site is risk mitigation of equipment integration prior to installation on the ship. The equipment will undergo significant testing to ensure all systems, including those supplied by several sensor manufacturers, are properly integrated and working effectively.

“The Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) installed in the Land-Based Test Site are to be installed on the second LHD, with the first ship receiving new equipment.

“While not fully operational, we are seeing real benefits from the test site as the team has discovered some issues that will require system modification, and these are much less costly when uncovered early in the program,” he said.

L-3 has supplied a large and complex communications suite, while Saab has installed the Combat Direction System which will provide the core command and control system for the ship. The CDS is based on a derivative of Saab's latest 9LV Mk 3E Combat Management System implemented on the ANZAC-class frigates, with added capability for helicopter and watercraft control for the LHD's amphibious warfare roles.

Design work began on the test site in 2008 with outfitting and installation of equipment having commenced in the latter half of last year. The first ship is expected to arrive in August 2012.

(BAE System)

06 April 2011

Largs Bay - Landing Ship Dock (photo : Global Security)

Largs Bay acquisition

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that Australia has been successful in its bid to acquire the United Kingdom’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay.

The Government has previously announced that it had asked Defence to develop new and comprehensive options to ensure transition to Australia’s Canberra Class amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock ships, which become operational from 2014, including the lease or purchase of a Bay Class Ship from the UK Government.

Today, the Government is confirming that Australia has been successful in its bid to acquire a Bay Class ship, Largs Bay.

Largs Bay is a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) which was commissioned into service in 2006. It became surplus to United Kingdom (UK) requirements as a result of the UK Government’s 2010 Defence Strategic Review.

The ship weighs 16,000 tonnes. It is 176 metres long and 26 metres wide. Its flight deck has room for two large helicopters and can also carry around 150 light trucks and 350 troops. Its cargo capacity is the equivalent of the Royal Australian Navy’s entire amphibious fleet.

Largs Bay is a proven capability having provided humanitarian relief as part of the international response to the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Largs Bay will help ensure that the Royal Australian Navy has the amphibious capability it needs for operation and humanitarian support in our region in the period leading up to the arrival of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships.

The ship has been acquired for £65 million (approximately $100 million).

Teekay Shipping Australia has thoroughly inspected the ship and found that: “The ship presents very well, and from a technical point of view, there are no major defects.”

Before the acquisition is finalised, Defence and the Royal Australian Navy will conduct sea trials to confirm the material state of the ship.

The ship is expected to arrive by the end of the year in time for it to be operational in early 2012.

The Government will announce further details of the transition plan for Australia’s amphibious ship capability to provide this essential capability until arrival of the Canberra Class in due course.

(Australian DoD)

21 Maret 2011

RTN's LPD with hull number 791 (all photos : TAF)

Commander in Chief of Royal Thai Navy Admiral Khamthorn Pumhiran on 20 March 2011 led the launching ceremony of the Thai Navy's LPD ships at ST Marine shipyard, Singapore.


Ship which type Landing Platform Dock was built in ST Marine Singapore and will be completed as a whole at the end of 2012.

The Ship with standard displacement of 7,600 tonnes (equivalent to HMTS Chakri Naruebet) has a length of 141 m, and can carry 151 fully armed marines and two helicopters.


The mission of the ship is to carry out amphibious operations, also for transportation and logistics functions.

(Thai Armed Force)

11 Maret 2011

RFA Largs Bay (photo : jackatlargs)

Australian defence minister Stephen Smith is to use an official visit to Europe to pursue the lease of RFA Largs Bay to the Royal Australian Navy.

Smith is in Brussels for a NATO/ISAF meeting of defence ministers, but will also visit London before returning to Australia on 10 March.

Smith has recently faced criticism because none of Australia's three amphibious transport ships were said to have been available during the recent Cyclone Yasi.

HMAS Manoora is to be taken out of service, HMAS Kanimbla is undergoing a refit until mid-2012 and HMAS Tobruk was said to be in a poor state of repair.

The Royal Australian Navy's replacements, two Canberra class ships, are not expected to be commissioned until 2014.

Australia is said to be in competition with Brazil, Chile and India for Largs Bay, which is due to go out of service in April following last year's Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Bidding is due to close on 17 March, with results announced in mid-April.

Smith had already expressed an interest in the ship during an official visit to Australia by Defence Secretary Liam Fox in January.

Smith will also discuss greater UK/Australia defence and security cooperation during the visit.

(Defence Management)

18 Februari 2011

The hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s two new amphibious ships has been launched in Spain, heralding a new era for Australia’s amphibious capability (all photos : Australian DoD)

LHD launch paves the way for amphibious transformation

The hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s two new amphibious ships has been launched in Spain, heralding a new era for Australia’s amphibious capability.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, led the launch and said the event was enormously significant.

“These ships are officially known as Landing Helicopter Docks or LHDs and are the largest the Australian Navy has ever owned,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

LHD01's hull launch was held at the Navantia dockyards at Ferrol in northern Spain; the event having a distinct Australian feel as children of Australian diplomats joined the official delegation waving Australian flags.

A Canberra regional sparkling wine was broken over the Canberra Class ship’s hull.

Vicki Coates, wife of the late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates who commanded the previous HMAS Canberra, was the ‘launch lady’.

Vice Admiral Crane said with a new generation in technology would come a new way of thinking in terms of how Navy would operate and crew this new capability.
“We are well progressed in our planning for the LHD arrival,” he said.

“I am confident we will have the people and the knowhow by the time the first LHD comes on line.

“Most importantly, for now, this project is on time and on budget.” Both ships will be based at Garden Island in Sydney. Crewed by all three services, the LHD will mark a significant strengthening of the ADF’s amphibious capability and tri-service culture.

First of class, HMAS Canberra (LHD01) will arrive in Victoria next year where it will be fitted out before being accepted into service in 2014 with sister ship HMAS Adelaide (LHD02) to follow the year after.

(Australian DoD)

12 Februari 2011

HMAS Canberra (LHD-01) siap untuk diluncurkan pada akhir februari atau awal maret 2011 (all photos : Navantia/RAN)

Dua LHD pesanan Australia untuk konstruksi lambung (hull) dikerjakan oleh Navantia, di Ferrol, Spanyol, sedangkan konstruksi atas (superstucture) akan dikerjakan oleh BAE Systems Australia (dahulu Tenix Defence) di Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Kapal tersebut diberi nama HMAS Canberra LHD-01 dan HMAS Adelaide LHD-02.

Pada mulanya HMAS Canberra LHD-01 akan diluncurkan pada Maret 2011 namun besar kemungkinan peluncuran kapal ini akan dimajukan pada tanggal 27 Februari 2011. Untuk selanjutnya pengerjaan kapal dari dok kering akan dialihkan ke dok basah. Lambung Canberra diharapkan tiba di Williamstown pada 2012, sedang lambung Adelaide pada 2014.

Canberra dan Adelaide merupakan nama ke-3 bagi kapal Angkatan Laut Australia, Canberra-01 dan Adelaide-01 merupakan kapal perusak/penjelajah D-33 dengan berat 10.000 ton, sedangkan Canberra-02 dan Adelaide-02 merupakan fregat FFG-02 dan FFG-01 dengan berat 4.100 ton.

Canberra class LHD merupakan kapal serbu amfibi dengan bobot 27.000 ton akan merupakan kapal perang terbesar yang pernah dioperasikan oleh Angkatan Laut Australia. Sebelumnya Angkatan Laut Australia pernah mengoperasikan kapal induk HMAS Melbourne dengan bobot 20.000 ton. Kedua kapal ini akan menggantikan Kanimbla class yaitu HMAS Kanimbla dan HMAS Manoora.

Dengan kapal ini Angkatan Laut Australia akan dapat melakukan proyeksi kekuatan untuk serangan amfibi, dukungan udara, transportasi dan pusat komando. Dek kapal mampu untuk mendaratkan 6 helikopter dan secara teoritis dengan ski jump 13 derajat yang dimilikinya maka kapal ini dapat mengoperasikan pesawat V/STOL milik negara sekutu Australia.

Secara umum kapal ini dapat membawa 1.000 pasukan, dapat membawa 16-24 helikopter, 4 LCM (landing craft medium), dan 150 kendaraan termasuk MBT M-1 Abrams. kapal dapat melaju dengan kecepatan 20,5 knot dan menempuh jarak 15.000 km dengan kecepatan 15 knot atau 17.130 km dengan kecepatan 12 knot.

(Defense Studies)

01 Februari 2011

HMAS Manoora (photo : Navsourc)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that HMAS Manoora would be decommissioned and that Defence would develop a new comprehensive plan to transition to the new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Ships.

HMAS Manoora

HMAS Manoora will be decommissioned on the advice of Chief of Navy.

The Manoora was placed on operational pause by the Seaworthiness Board in September last year.

An examination of the over 40 year old ship has revealed it requires remediation of significant hull corrosion and the replacement of both gear boxes.

This work would cost over $20 million and would take until April 2012 to complete.

The Manoora was scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of next year.

“That is not value for money for another nine months of service,” Mr Smith and Mr Clare said.

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD):

Canberra class LHD (image : M Conrad)

HMAS Manoora and the Royal Australian Navy’s other amphibious support ships (HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Tobruk) will be replaced by two Canberra Class LHDs, the largest Ships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

Later this month (February 18) the hull of the first LHD will be launched in Spain where it has been constructed by Navantia.

The hull will arrive in Melbourne next year for further work to be completed at the Williamstown Shipyard before the LHD becomes operational in 2014. Australia’s second LHD will become operational the following year.

The LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier. Each is 230 meters long and can carry a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1000 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters. Each also includes a 40-bed hospital.

“Stepping up to this new capability is going to require a lot of work by Navy,” Mr Smith said.

“It is very different to the ships we currently operate. One LHD will effectively replace the entire amphibious force we have today. It also has a number of capabilities, such as a floating dock that the Royal Australian Navy does not currently operate.

“Because of the decommissioning of the Manoora and the age of our other amphibious ships, I have asked Defence to present a new comprehensive plan for the transition towards the new LHDs.”

Transition plan:

Comparison between (L to R) HMAS Kanimbla, ex HMAS Melbourne and Canberra class (image : RAN)

“I have asked Defence to present me with options and recommendations to ensure the smooth transition to the LHD,” Mr Smith said.

This could include the lease or purchase Ships that would provide a platform to train and prepare for the LHDs, such as a Bay Class Ship from the UK Government.

If this option is taken up it could provide for the decommissioning of the HMAS Kanimbla or HMAS Tobruk to be brought forward.

HMAS Kanimbla was also placed on operational pause by the Seaworthiness Board last year. The Kanimbla is not now expected to be available for operations until mid-2012 and is currently scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of 2014.

HMAS Tobruk is currently being maintained at a 48 hours readiness posture in order to meet Australian Defence Force preparedness requirements.

The Tobruk will be required to dock this year to replace worn-out support bearings on a propeller shaft. She is due to be decommissioned at the end of 2012.

(Australian DoD)