DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Shipbuilders, Military In Conflict Over Mistral Deal

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Shipbuilders, Military In Conflict Over Mistral Deal

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - February 8, 2011: Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has been taken out of the contractual talks with France on the purchase of Mistral class amphibious assault ships, a Russian business daily said Tuesday.

The Kommersant newspaper cited anonymous defense industry sources as saying state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport will represent Russia in direct talks with France's DCNS from now on.

Kommersant speculates that the removal of the USC from the talks could be the result of the company's aspirations to acquire a status of an "independent dealer" on the lucrative arms exports market.

Rosoboronexport, backed by the Russian Defense Ministry, has almost monopolized Russia's arms exports and apparently does not want new players to bite into its share in enormous profits from growing arms sales, which totaled $10 billion in 2010.

Moscow and Paris signed on January 25 an intergovernmental agreement to jointly build four Mistral-class helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy.

Russia's input to the construction of the first Mistral-class warship will be 20% and 40% in the second.

The third and fourth ships are to be built in Russia, whose share of labor input will subsequently rise to 80%.

The talks on the actual contract to build Mistral ships are still underway. The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said the contract could be signed in April-march this year.

Under the Russian-French agreement the first Mistral-class ship, with a price tag of 720 million euros, is expected to be built in late 2013-early 2014 and the second in late 2014-early 2015.

A Mistral-class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.

A number of Russia's neighbors have expressed concern over the upcoming deal, in particular Georgia and Lithuania.

However, the first two Mistral class ships will most likely join Russia's Pacific Fleet with an obvious task to protect the disputed Kuril Islands.

Related News

• Russia to build new shipyards for Mistral construction
• Russia to pay over 700 million euros for first Mistral helicopter carrier - source
• Lithuanian defense minister says Russian-French warship deal 'mistake'
• Russia opts for French Mistral-class warships for its Navy (WRAPUP)

Multimedia

• France's Mistral amphibious assault ship
• French Navy demonstrates Mistral helicopter carrier
• France’s Mistral amphibious assault ship visits St. Petersburg
• Analyst: Russian defense ministry and military industry part ways

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

© Copyright (c) DTN News Defense-Technology News

DTN NEWS ON TWITTER (30 SUBJECTS)

DTN News: Russia To Build Port Facilities For Mistral ships

DTN News: Russia To Build Port Facilities For Mistral ships Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - April 10, 2010: Russia will have to build port facilities if it decides to purchase a French Mistral helicopter carrier for the Russian Navy, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin said. Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, worth 400-500 million euros (around $530-$660 million) and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS. "We do not have port infrastructure for aircraft carriers, but we plan to build it [for Mistral type ships]," Popovkin said. "If we reach an agreement [with France], we'll do everything, if not, we won't." Popovkin also said Russian Kamov helicopters (Ka-52, Ka-226) will be based on Mistral ship, if the country decides to go ahead with the purchase. He noted that Russia wanted to buy only one ship and build three more under French license in Russian shipyards, while France planned to sell two vessels and license the construction of the remaining two. Many Russian military and industry experts have questioned the financial and military advantages of the purchase, but Popovkin disagrees that the Mistral would be useless for the Russian Navy. Russia has at least four islands in the Pacific Ocean which are still disputed with Japan as well as the Kaliningrad exclave surrounded by NATO countries. If these regions come under threat, Mistrals could be used to transfer military forces to the conflict zones, he said. The future of the deal is still unclear because France is unlikely to agree to transferring sensitive technology that Russia could use in potential conflicts with NATO and its allies. Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) Ruslan Pukhov said on Wednesday that France would never sell the Mistral with its naval tactical data system SENIT 9 because it provides links to NATO data exchange formats. "This system could not be sold because it contains software which allows the control of NATO military forces," Pukhov said, adding that Russia would most likely have to install its own electronic equipment on the Mistral ships.

DTN News: Malaysia Says First Submarine Unable To Dive

DTN News: Malaysia Says First Submarine Unable To Dive *Source: DTN News / AFP

(NSI News Source Info) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - February 14, 2010: Malaysia's first submarine, a European-made Scorpene delivered last September, has developed problems that make it unfit for diving, the defence minister said Thursday. The Royal Malaysian Navy placed a contract for two Scorpene submarines in June 2002. The first vessel, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, was launched at DCNS Cherbourg in October 2007. It was handed over in January 2009 in Toulon and arrrived in Malaysia in September 2009. The second, Tun Razak, was launched at Navantia Cartagena in October 2008 and is to commission in late 2009. DCNS is building the bow sections, Navantia the aft sections.

In October 2005, India placed an order for six Scorpene submarines. The submarines will be built at the state-owned Mazagon dockyard in Bombay, with technical assistance and equipment from French companies DCN and Thales. At the same time, India also placed an order for 36 MBDA SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles to arm the submarines. Construction of the first vessel began in December 2006 and is scheduled to be delivered in December 2012. One submarine will be delivered each year until 2017. In December 2008, Brazil placed an order for four diesel-electric-powered submarines based on the Scorpene. The submarines will be built by a joint venture company set up by DCNS and Odebrecht of Brazil and will enter service in 2015. The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman sailed into a grand reception last year as the first of two commissioned from French contractor DCNS and Spain's Navantia for a total of 3.4 billion ringgit (961 million dollars). Named after the country's first prime minister, it was hailed as an important acquisition despite opposition allegations of corruption in the deal. "The submarine can still dive but when we detected the defects, we were advised that it should not dive," Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters. "The (parts found with) defects are still under warranty so the supplier and contractor are repairing them," he added. Navy chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar said a problem first emerged in the submarine's cooling system last December. After being fixed, another defect was identified in a different system last month. "We hope it can dive again after February 18 so we can carry out the tropical water trials," Abdul Aziz told reporters. The navy chief said the second submarine, the KD Tun Razak which is named after the nation's second premier, is expected to arrive from France on May 31. It was originally scheduled for delivery in late 2009. The two submarines have attracted controversy since the deal was signed in 2002. Malaysia's opposition claims that a 540-million-ringgit commission was paid to a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Razak in brokering the contract. Najib has denied there was any corruption in the deal, which was made when he was defence minister.

DTN News: Malaysia TODAY September 4, 2009 ~ Malaysia's First Ever Submarine Arrives To Acclaim

DTN News: Malaysia TODAY September 4, 2009 ~ Malaysia's First Ever Submarine Arrives To Acclaim

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) PORT KLANG, Malaysia - September 4, 2009: Malaysia's first ever submarine was delivered Thursday to colourful fanfare and a royal visitor, in an acquisition that the government said "completes" the country's navy. Malaysia's first submarine, "KD Tunku Abdul Rahman", docks in Port Klang outside Kuala Lumpur September 3, 2009. The French-made "KD Tunku Abdul Rahman", the first of the two Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines ordered by the Malaysian Navy, made a port call on Thursday in Port Klang for a welcoming ceremony on its maiden voyage from Toulon in France to Sepanggar in east Malaysia. The "KD Tunku Abdul Rahman" was named after the Malaysian first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The European-made Scorpene submarine is the first of two commissioned from French contractor DCNS and Spain's Navantia for a combined total of 3.4 billion ringgit (961 million dollars). The second submarine is scheduled for delivery in late 2009. "With the arrival of the first submarine, our navy is now complete as it has an air component, a sea component and now a submarine component," defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters. The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, named after the nation's first prime minister, sailed into a grand reception at the navy's deepwater Pulau Indah base in Port Klang, an hour's drive from the capital Kuala Lumpur. A naval band struck up martial tunes as the jet-black vessel, decorated with bunting and with its captain Zulhelmy Ithnain in the viewing tower, docked at the pier, which was packed with Malaysian and foreign naval dignitaries. Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was given a tour of the submarine, which set sail 54 days ago from the French port of Toulon, where the vessel was built. Naval officials said the submarine would be based in Sabah state, on Borneo island, where it will undergo fine-tuning before it is deployed in search and rescue and military exercises. The two submarines have long attracted controversy since the deal was signed in 2002. Malaysia's opposition claims that a 540-million-ringgit commission was paid to a close associate of now-Premier Najib Razak in brokering the deal. The prime minister, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, has denied there was any corruption in the deal, which was made when he was defence minister.

DTN News: French Navy Orders 2nd Barracuda Nuclear Attack Submarine From DCNS

DTN News: French Navy Orders 2nd Barracuda Nuclear Attack Submarine From DCNS

*Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 27, 2009: The Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) signed a contract June 26 with DCNS and Areva-TA for a second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine, as part of a six-boat program worth a total of 7.9 billion euros ($11.1 billion), the French Defense Ministry said in a statement. The Barracuda is the next-generation SNA (Sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque - Nuclear Attack Submarine). Much like their predecessors, Barracuda-class SNA will have an anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare role, with the ability to launch cruise-missiles. They will primarily be tasked with ensuring the safety of the Strategic Oceanic Force, conducting carrier group escorts and power-projection. In addition to anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities, the Barracuda will accommodate intelligence gathering and the deployment of special forces and carry MDCN cruise missiles providing a land strike capability. The payload of 20 tube-launched weapons will comprise a mix of future heavyweight torpedoes, cruise missiles and SM39 anti-ship missiles. Barracuda-class SNA will be armed with cruise-missiles planned for future Multi-Missions European Frigates (FREMM), the future heavy torpedo (FTL) which will replace the F17 torpedo, the SM 39 anti-surface missile(exocet family), and the FG 29 mine. The Barracuda-class SNA will be, like the Rubis-class SNA it is meant to replace, nuclear-powered. The powerplant will be built by Technicatome. The nuclear reactor is derived from the models used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and SNLE submarines. It is meant to allow for a sustained speed of 22 knots for more than 20 days. Construction Program DCN has primary responsibility for the design and construction of the Barracuda-class submarines. The hull and final componene integration will be completed at the Cherbourg shipyard. Propulsion work will be conducted at the DCN's factory at Indret while combat systems will be overseen at the Toulon plant. The Barracuda-class submarines are meant to eventually replace the Rubis-class submarines once these start reaching the end of their useful life between 2012 and 2023. The future attack-submarine program was launched by the French Minister of Defense on 14 October 1998. The design-phase of the Barracuda-class SNA program began in June 2002 with the start of the development phase expected to begin in 2005. In October 2003 the French Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) awarded a contract to Thales Underwater Systems for an integrated sonar system for the nuclear ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) Le Terrible, the fourth ship of the Le Triomphant class. The same sonar system will be used by the new Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines (SSN), destined to replace Rubis and Amethyste class submarines between 2012 and 2022. The new sonar is to be a part of the Barracuda class integrated combat system. Six submarines were expected to be produced, with delivery starting in 2015. Production of six Barracuda-class submarines was expected to begin around 2012 with a rate of production of one submarine every two years. As of late 2006 the first Barracuda SSN was scheduled for delivery in 2016. On 22 December 2006 French defence procurement agency DGA announced that it has awarded the Barracuda SSN contract to the DCN group and partner Areva-TA. The contract calls for the delivery of six new-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines, or SSNs, and through-life support services during their first years of operational service. "Defense Minister Hervé Morin announced the order for the second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine," the statement said. "The Barracuda program, which envisages the delivery of six submarines between 2017 and 2028, is worth 7.9 billion euros and will supply work to thousands of workers through its production life." A first cutting of metal took place June 26 on the second boat at the DCNS Cherbourg submarine facility, the company said in a separate statement. "The Barracuda program is one of the most important in the renewal of French naval forces," the company said. The boats will replace the Rubis/Amethyst class and will allow missions such as intelligence gathering, deployment of special forces, mining of waters, combat against surface ships and anti-submarine warfare, DCNS said. The boat will be armed with a naval cruise missile, the future F21 Artemis heavy torpedo and SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. Assembly of the first-of-class boat Suffren began June 26 with the welding together of the first two large sections in the rear of the hull, the ministry said. DCNS is prime contractor on the Barracuda program, with Areva-TA in charge of the nuclear propulsion. The DGA ordered the Suffren in December 2006 with a first payment of 1.26 billion euros. The payment schedule on the Suffren contract included a second stage payment of 600 million euros in 2007 and 860 million in 2008, totaling 2.72 billion euros. That amount covered the cost of development and construction of the first boat. At 1.3 billion euros, the price of the Suffren was among the cheapest nuclear attack submarines to be built, DGA program director Thierry Perard told reporters at the time. Subsequent orders were due to be made every two years. Jean-Marie Poimbeouf, then-CEO of DCNS, said on Dec. 23, 2006, that the Barracuda program ensured 20 years of work for industry and engaged more than 100 companies.

DCNS At LAAD 2009

DCNS At LAAD 2009

(NSI News Source Info) Rio de Janeiro Brazil - April 17, 2009: DCNS will exhibit at LAAD 2009 which will be held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) from 14 to 17 April 2009. DCNS is a major player on the European and world markets for value-added naval defence systems. As a naval prime contractor, shipbuilder and systems integrator, DCNS combines resources and expertise spanning the naval defence value chain and entire system lifecycles. DCNS delivers innovative solutions from integrated warships to strategic systems, equipment and services. The DCNS stand showcases: • DCNS will showcase its expertise in submarine design and construction, through the Scorpene medium-size submarines. At the end of January, DCNS delivered the first of two Scorpene submarines ordered by Malaysia in June 2002: Tunku Abdul Rahman, which is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia early in the second half of 2009. The second of the series, Tun Razak, is scheduled for delivery in late 2009. Already chosen by the Chilean Navy and the Indian Navy, Scorpene submarines represents the state of the art in submarine design and construction and benefits from the latest technologies developed for nuclear-powered classes operated by the French Navy, particularly as regards acoustic discretion and combat system performance. Excellent endurance makes the Scorpene one of the few medium-displacement designs suitable for extended ocean patrol duties. The modular design can also be readily tailored to each customer's specific mission profiles and other requirements. In December 2008, DCNS has been awarded a major contract by the Brazilian Navy (four conventional-propulsion submarines and design assistance - under the Brazilian Navy's design authority - for the non-nuclear part of the Navy's first nuclear submarine). • To emphasize its experience in strategic systems and equipment DCNS is also displaying the Mesma AIP system to extend submarine submerged endurance three to four fold and significantly improve operational performance. • Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) will form a key component of the French Navy's force projection assets..The Barracuda will feature extremely low observables and vulnerability to all types of surface and underwater threats.The Barracuda programme calls for the delivery of six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). DCNS cut the first plate for the first-of-class Le Suffren at its Cherbourg shipyard on 19 December 2007. SSN Le Suffren is scheduled to enter service in 2017. The Barracuda is one of the most important programmes for the renewal of France's naval forces. • The Andrasta, a compact submarine designed to operate in coastal waters, a theatre of growing importance to all maritime nations. It is also a fearsome adversary in deep water. Andrasta combines a state-of-the-art design with stealth, agility and power. A direct descendant of the Scorpene, it is remarkably effective in any underwater role in coastal waters that a client navy may wish to assign to it. • CV São Paulo, formerly CV Foch, pride of the French Navy, was acquired by the Brazilian Navy in 2000. DCNS makes expertise available to the Brazilian Navy on an ‘as needed' basis. Most requests concern the ship's boilers, catapults, aviation facilities and propulsion system. To ensure that the São Paulo is constantly in top condition, DCNS supports the Brazilian Navy's Rio de Janeiro shipyard through telephone conference calls, by seconding experts and by supplying spare parts. • The projection and command ship or Mistral LHD is a multipurpose surface vessel designed to cover a broad spectrum of missions, including amphibious operations, crisis management, airborne operations, operational command, operational transport, healthcare support, humanitarian operations and freight transport. The operational capability and interoperability of the Mistral LHD were demonstrated in Operation Baliste off Lebanon and on sea trials with the US Navy (involving the LCAC and Super Stallion). • The FREMM multi-mission frigates programme combines the latest technologies developed by the DCNS group. These technological and engineering advances will make the FREMM frigates world leaders in their class. France and Italy have already ordered a first batch of and Morocco chose this frigate to equip its Royal Navy. • The FM 400 is a new compact and flexible frigate derived from the FREMM with a full range of specialized versions. In designing the FM 400, DCNS drew on a long line of stealth vessels that began with the famous La Fayette and now includes the FREMM frigates. Like its predecessors, the FM 400 offers multi-role capabilities tailored to the needs of a wide range of navies. • The innovative Gowind®, a new family of ocean-capable vessels designed by DCNS for all littoral and sea operations, Gowind® vessels are exceptional tools able to fulfil missions ranging from anti-piracy up to sea control and denial. • SUBTICS® combines operational efficiency, high-performance sensors and long-range weapons. The system can be readily added to any new-build programme or integrated as part of a refit. It has been selected by several navies for SCORPENE and AGOSTA 90B submarines, as well as for modernisation programmes for submarines already in service. • DCNS displays the F21 next-generation heavyweight torpedo developed with Italian partner Wass. The F21 has been selected by a number of navies. This product is an excellent example of DCNS's expertise in advanced system integration. • DCNS is also displaying the Contralto countermeasure systems, specifically Contralto-V® for surface vessels and Contralto-S® for submarines. This product is an excellent example of DCNS's expertise in advanced system integration. • Automatic UAV deck landing and take-off is a major challenge, especially if poor sea states and weather are taken into account. DCNS has developed the Automatic Deck landing Device to allow rotary-wing UAVs to take off and land on naval flight decks. The ADD system successfully completed its first sea trials off Toulon in October 2008. The system uses an infrared trajectograph to track the UAV while receiving real-time platform motion data. Meanwhile, a computer processes the motion data to generate UAV flight commands to adjust its trajectory. ADD can be used up to sea state 5, when it takes 2 minutes to land a UAV. DCNS also offers a full range of naval services, including through-life support (TLS), modernisations and training. DCNS is actively integrating e-maintenance into its guaranteed-availability TLS services. Internet technologies enable customer and service provider to share system status data and operating parameters in near-realtime. DCNS is also assessing the potential of state-of-the-art diagnostic and prognostic tools to further improve warship availability. About DCNSThe DCNS group is one of Europe's leading players on the world market for naval defence systems. To meet customer demands for more comprehensive and integrated systems, DCNS acts as prime contractor for naval shipbuilding, integration and support by combining its own development, marketing and production capabilities with those of selected partners. To manage the complexity of such projects, DCNS draws on in-house expertise in naval architecture, systems engineering, ship assembly and integration and equipment design and production as well as through-life support. The DCNS group employs some 13,000 people and generates annual revenues of around €2.8 billion

France Finishes Deal To Build 3rd Command Ship

France Finishes Deal To Build 3rd Command Ship

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS - April 7, 2009: The government soon will order a third large command-and-projection ship as negotiations with industry have now been completed, French Defense Minister Hervé Morin said April 7. Morin told a defense conference here he had reached agreement with industry "yesterday evening" for the third batiment de projection et commandement, and that an order would be signed in the next few days, two defense executives present at the conference said. The third ship, classed as Landing Helicopter Dock, is part of a 2.3 billion euro ($3.1 billion) defense stimulus plan announced in December.

The Mistral LHD is a multimission force projection and commandement vessel. An instrument of crisis management in times of conflict, it offers in times of peace a platform to support civilian populations in the event of a humanitarian crisis. Transformed into a veritable floating hospital, it can then provide medical care equivalent to a 40,000 people city. The military at the service of civiliansIn the 21st century, naval defense is playing new roles, with operations that are both more complex and more geographically remote. Humanitarian and/or inter-allied missions call for greater maximum payloads, the ability to reconfigure vessels when they are already underway depending on changes in the situation in the field and, consequently, a vastly increased adaptability.Thanks to its ability to adapt to different payloads, the Mistral LHD is capable of rising to these new challenges. Its ultra-modern hospital, equipped with two operating theaters, boasts the highest standards currently in force within NATO. The Mistral is also an efficient commandement and control center. With its powerful communications system, its fully redundant equipment and excellent maneuvering capabilities, it plays a pivotal role in the deployment of peacekeepers, in deterrence or the projection. Features Two adjustable pods equip the propulsion system of the Mistral LHD, providing it with outstanding maneuvering capability. The first “all electric” ship in the French Navy, it distinguished itself in the Lebanon in 2006 by allowing the evacuation of several thousand civilians in the space of just a few days during the so-called Baliste operation, while providing logistics support to the NATO force committed to a peacekeeping mission. Negotiations between naval systems company DCNS and commercial shipyard STX France over how the work should be shared out have been tough, a third official familiar with the talks said. DCNS is unlikely to make much money on the third ship as the main aim of the reflation package is to maintain jobs, but the defense budget is tight so margins will be squeezed. The naval company, however, is under pressure to lift profitability. The chief executive of the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) procurement office, Laurent Collet-Billion, recently said most of the labor will be employed on building the ship's hull at STX France's St. Nazaire yard on the Brittany coast, eastern France. DCNS will handle system integration and militarization of the platform. The naval company used its Brest site to integrate the weapon systems on the first two ships of this type. The government is a majority shareholder in DCNS and holds a third of STX France's capital. A DCNS spokesman said, "We are waiting for further communication from the ministry before we communicate." STX France declined to comment. According to a DGA 2006 press release, the program cost for the first two ships of this class, the Mistral and Tonnerre, was 570 million euros, including development and production. The DGA says the two ships cost about 30 percent less than their predecessors, Sirocco and Ouragon, because of use of commercial shipbuilding. The government obliged DCNS to share the Mistral and Tonnerre work with STX France to keep the commercial yard afloat. On top of the 570 million euro figure was a further amount for a five-year service contract and a guarantee on readiness from DCNS, a government official said. DCNS was the prime contractor for the Mistral and Tonnerre and shared half the work with the then-Chantiers de l'Atlantique, owned by the Alstom engineering group. Chantiers de l'Atlantique was renamed STX France after being bought by the STX South Korean group. The French government bought 33.34 percent of STX France in November 2008. Under the 2009-14 military budget law, two more command-and-projection ships were due to be built, but the collapse of work led the government to advance the third vessel under the defense reflation package.

DCNS Set For Frigate Talks With Greece

DCNS Set For Frigate Talks With Greece

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS - March 27, 2009: DCNS is poised to open formal negotiations with Greece for the sale of up to six FREMM multimission frigates, said Alain Fougeron, the sales and marketing executive vice president at the French naval company. "We are preparing for negotiations, which have not yet started," for four or six ships, including options, he said March 24. "We hope to close the negotiations as soon as possible. That goes for both sides." Fougeron gave no price details on the 6,000-metric-ton Frégate Européene Multimission (FREMM), co-developed by France and Italy. The FREMM Multipurpose Frigate (French Frégate multi-mission or Italian Fregata Europea Multi-Missione) is a ship designed by DCN and Fincantieri to operate in anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, and be capable of carrying out deep strikes against land targets. The French Navy plans to operate eleven FREMM frigates, and the Marina Militare ten. The first commissionings are expected in 2012 when the first of the French vessels is due in service (France has placed orders for 11 FREMM frigates, Italy 6 with the last 4 has been funded at the end of 2007). The ships will be built in France by Armaris (owned by DCNS, and in Italy by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (a joint venture between shipbuilder Fincantieri and aerospace firm Finmeccanica). This arrangement extends the partnerships forged for development of the Horizon CNGFs (Common New Generation Frigates). Morocco has bought one frigate to be operated by the Royal Moroccan Navy , while Greece announced the order of six vessels equipped with the SCALP Naval cruise missile. France will use 9 frigates to replace the anti-submarine Tourville class frigates (F67 type), the anti-submarine Georges Leygues class frigates (F70 type) and 2 FREDA frigates to replace the two units of the anti-aircraft Cassard class. Italy will build 4 ASW and 6 general-purpose (GP) frigates to replace the (8) Maestrale and (4) Lupo class frigates. Greece will built 6 general-purpose (GP) frigates to replace equal number of Elli class frigates. The first eight French ships have been named Aquitaine, Normandie, Provence, Bretagne, Auvergne, Languedoc, Alsace and Lorraine. The first two Italian ships have been named Carlo Bergamini and Carlo Margottini. But the economic crisis has hit Greece hard, making it tougher for the government to pay for planned purchases of the new warships and combat aircraft. DCNS asked European missile maker MBDA to be part of the French warship offer, which beat proposals from other companies, including Italy's version of the FREMM, Fougeron said. The Italian FREMM has a different combat management system, he said. MBDA has Finmeccanica of Italy as a shareholder alongside EADS and BAE Systems. DCNS has a cooperation agreement with local partner Elefsis Shipyards. DCNS last year opened an office in Athens. In January, Greek Defense Minister Vangelis Meimarakis said the authorities had authorized bilateral talks with France to buy six FREMM warships and 15 Super Puma search-and-rescue helicopters. The estimated price of a FREMM ship is about 500 million euros ($678 million). DCNS believes the Hellenic Navy's difficulties in getting a German-built U-214 conventional submarine into service could be helpful in efforts to sell a French boat to Pakistan. Meimarakis said that Greece is trying to renegotiate a contract for a German-built conventional submarine because of technical problems, Reuters reported Jan. 22. The German four-submarine contract is reported to be worth about four billion euros, with three other 214 boats under contract. The difficulties of the Greek submarine, the Papanikolis, has probably led Pakistan to reconsider a planned buy of the 214 from Howaldstwerke Deutsche-Werft (HDW), leaving the door open to DCNS' Marlin, an all-French derivative of the Franco-Spanish Scorpene. HDW is part of Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The last of three Agosta 90 submarines built for Pakistan's Navy took to the sea in September, equipped with the Mesma air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, Fougeron said. The AIP system, which allows the submarine to operate for longer periods underwater, has been used heavily and is working well, he said. Two earlier Agosta 90 submarines have been retrofitted with the air-independent propulsion system.

Malaysian Second Scorpene SSK Begins Sea Trials

Malaysian Second Scorpene SSK Begins Sea Trials

(NSI News Source Info) February 18, 2009: This submarine will be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy in October, one year after it was floated.

On February 11th, Navantia began sea trials in waters off Cartagena of the second Scorpene submarine that the consortium formed by the French company DCNS and NAVANTIA is building for the Royal Malaysian Navy, and which had been christened “Tun Razak”.

The aim of this sortie was to commence checks on the operation of the different equipment that has been installed on the submarine.

This first phase of trials will last until the end of April. After a subsequent period of approximately 3 months during which the submarine will be in dry dock for routine maintenance work, the second phase of sea trials will be performed until October 25 of this year, the date scheduled for delivery of the Tun Razak to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Tun Razak submarine was set afloat and christened during a ceremony that took place at NAVANTIA’s shipyard in Cartagena on October 8 last year, which was presided over by their Royal Majesties the King and Queen of Malaysia. The first of the two submarines, named Tunku Abdul Rahman, was delivered to this Asian country’s Navy on January 26 this year in Toulon, France.

The main characteristics of the submarine are:

-- Length overall: 66.4 m.

-- Submerged displacement: 1,700 t

-- Autonomy: 50 days --Crew: 31

DCNS to Upgrade Colombian Frigates / Colombian Navy Chooses DCNS

DCNS to Upgrade Colombian Frigates / Colombian Navy Chooses DCNS

(NSI News Source Info) February 6, 2009: The Colombian Ministry of Defence signed a 100 million euro contract with DCNS for the modernization of the combat management systems of its Almirante Padilla-class frigates.

The Almirante Padilla Class Frigate is a group of frigates operated by the Colombian Navy. The designation of this class is Type FS 1500 and there are 4 ships in service. The ships were built by Howaldtswerke in Kiel, Germany. Two similar ships operate in the Malaysian Navy as the Kasturi class frigates.

This contract, which is covered by a government-to-government agreement between France and Colombia, will see DCNS and Thales partnering for the modernization of the sensors and the Combat Management System of four Colombian frigates.

This latest success, obtained in the face of intense competition, again illustrates the know-how of French industry in the field of mid-life modernization and upgrade of major surface combatants.

Malaysian Navy Joins The Era Of Submarines

Malaysian Navy Joins The Era Of Submarines

(NSI News Source Info) February 1, 2009: Malaysia has received the first of two Scorpene subs it purchased from France. The Scorpene is a modern French-Spanish diesel-electric submarine (a variant uses air-independent propulsion) that displaces 1,700 tons, has a top speed of 37 kilometers per hour, and is armed with six 21-inch torpedo tubes with eighteen torpedoes or SM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. Each sub has a crew of 31. In 2006, the RMN had launched a nationwide competition in order to select the names for the Malaysian first two submarines. On 26 July, RMN announced these vessels will be named after the historic people in Malaysia's history. The first hull will be named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and the second hull KD Tun Razak. These vessels are classified as Perdana Menteri Class in service with RMN. The first vessel, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was launched on October 24, 2007 at the DCNS dockyard, Cherbourg, France. Last year, 119 Malaysian sailors and officers completed a four year course in operating submarines. Another 143 sailors are still undergoing training. The large number of sailors are being trained to allow for those who will get out of the navy, or may not prove up to the job. Malaysia is also getting an older Agosta sub as a training boat. The Malaysian crew took possession of their Scorpene (the "Tunku Abdul Rahman"), in France, and will take the sub back to Malaysia, after several months of training on the boat, later this year. The second boat, the "Tun Razak". will be ready for its Malaysian crew before the end of the year.

Malaysia Takes Delivery of First Submarine / DCNS Hands Over Malaysia’s First Submarine / DCNS Delivers Royal Malaysian Navy’s Very First Submarine

Malaysia Takes Delivery of First Submarine / DCNS Hands Over Malaysia’s First Submarine / DCNS Delivers Royal Malaysian Navy’s Very First Submarine (NSI News Source Info) TOULON, France - January 28, 2009: Today (Jan. 27), DCNS delivered the Royal Malaysian Navy’s first-ever submarine. This on-time delivery follows Malaysia’s decision to set up a submarine force comprising two Scorpene-type conventional-propulsion boats.

The Royal Malaysian Navy took formal delivery of Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman at today’s official handover in Toulon. The guests of honour included RMN Chief of Staff Admiral Dato’Sri Aziz Hj Jaafar.

Scorpène class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarine. It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion (AIP), jointly developed by the French company DCNS, formerly DCN, and the Spanish company Navantia (Formerly Bazan, then Izar). The Chilean Navy ordered two Scorpène, which will replace the two Oberon class submarines retired by the Chilean Navy. The Royal Malaysian Navy ordered two, and the Indian Navy ordered six. All will be built in India at Mazagon Dock Limited. In 2008, the Brazilian Navy ordered four Scorpène, in addition to a fifth hull to be fitted with an indigenous nuclear propulsion plant. The Chilean Scorpène class O'Higgins and Carrera were completed in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and are currently the only two in operation.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is the first of two Scorpene submarines ordered by Malaysia in June 2002 and developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia. In addition to the submarines proper, the contract calls for associated logistics and training. The submariners have been training in the Naval Training Center of DCI/NAVFCO since 2005, among a total of 146 Malaysians.

This major milestone for the RMN follows the completion, in late December 2008, of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman’s final sea trials demonstrating remarkable operational and combat system capabilities. These trials included successful firings of Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and missiles.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia early in the second half of 2009. The second of the series, KD Tun Razak, is scheduled for delivery in late 2009. Manned by Malaysian crews of just 31, the boats offer an endurance of 45 days for a displacement of 1,550 tonnes and a length overall of 67.5 metres.

Scorpene represents the state of the art in submarine design and construction and benefits from the latest technologies developed for nuclear-powered classes operated by the French Navy, particularly as regards acoustic discretion and combat system performance. Excellent endurance makes the Scorpene one of the few medium-displacement designs suitable for extended ocean patrol duties. The modular design can also be readily tailored to each customer’s specific mission profiles and other requirements.

This programme confirms DCNS’s know-how as a leading prime contractor for sophisticated warship programmes. With ten units ordered to date (two for Chile, two for Malaysia and six for India), Scorpene is truly an international benchmark in SSK design.

The DCNS Group is one of Europe’s leading players on the world market for naval defence systems. To meet customer demands for more comprehensive and integrated systems, DCNS acts as prime contractor for naval shipbuilding, integration and support by combining its own development, marketing and production capabilities with those of selected partners. To manage the complexity of such projects, the Group draws on in-house expertise in naval architecture and systems engineering, ship assembly and integration and equipment design and production, as well as through-life support.

The DCNS Group employs 13,000 people and generates annual revenues of around €2.8 billion. DCI/NAVFCO has, since its creation, trained over 13 000 officers, naval engineers, submarine officer and specialists. Its services, which are accredited by the French Navy, are adapted to the special naval and aero-naval requirements of its client countries.