Reprinted with permission from AMI HOT NEWS; an Internet publication of AMI International, PO Box 40, Bremerton, Washington 98337.
NAVAL MARKET FORECAST NEWSLETTER
From the April 2014 Issue
EGYPT
Submarine and Corvette Procurements
Type 209 Submarine: In early March 2014, AMI received information that the EN was considering the procurement of two additional Type 209 submarines from Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany. This follows the order of two Type 209s in late 2012 for an estimated US $1.26B.
The original contract included options for two additional units and sources indicate that the EN is considering those options at this time. AMI estimated in 2012 that the EN would consider the two additional units as the sea service needed to replace four 50s vintage Improved Romeo class submarines (although had major US upgrades) that were transferred from China in the early 1980s.
The first two units ordered in 2012 are scheduled for delivery in 2016. AMI estimates that the options will probably be exercised in 2015 with construction beginning on units three and four in 2016 with delivery in 2019 and 2020. In regards to funding, it is possible that the EN could use some of the US$20B in aid promised by the Saudi Arabian Government in 2013. It appears that some of that aid will also be used in the purchase of up to four French Gowind class corvettes.
ALGERIA
Additional Submarines to be Ordered in 2014
In early March 2014, AMI received information that the Algerian National Navy (ANN) intended to order two additional Kilo class (636M) submarines by the end of 2014. The estimated US$1.2B covers the construction of both units at Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia. Both will be delivered to the ANN by the close of 2018.
This will be the fifth and sixth Kilo hulls for the ANN, which procured two of the 636M variants in 2006 and two of the 877EKM variants in the 1980s. The 636M units were delivered to the sea service in March and July of 2010. The 877EKM variants completed a mid-life refit in Russia by 1996 extending their service lives until 2018 at which time they will be replaced by the two 636Ms that are now being ordered.
With the ANN now involved in a large naval expansion that includes two classes of frigates and amphibious ships, the sea service may wish to continue the expansion of its undersea service as well. Upon delivery of the two submarines in 2018, the ANN could possibly order two additional units in order to maintain a six unit Submarine Force. Although the ANN has begun a transition away from Russia in filling its naval needs, the sea service is apparently satisfied with the Kilo submarines.
ASIA REGIONAL UPDATE
VIETNAM: Kilo Class (636) Class Submarine: On 28 March 2014, the fourth Kilo class submarine for the Vietnamese People’s Navy (VPN), DA NANG (HQ-185), was launched from Russia’s Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg. DA NANG is scheduled to be delivered to Vietnam by the end of 2015.
MODERNIZATION & SHIP TRANSFER NEWSLETTER
SPAIN – Galerna Class Submarine SPS Tramontana (S 74): In late 2013, the Spanish Navy (SN) Galerna class submarine, SPS TRAMONTANA (S 74), entered dry dock for its service life extension program. TRAMONTANA follows the SPS MISTRAL (S73), which was refloated after its dry dock period in April 2013. The Galerna class is being extended until the S80 (Isaac Perol Class) submarines begin entering service later in the decade.
The service life extension will essentially allow the Galerna class to operate until the mid-2020s. In mid-2013, the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) allocated US$38M to refit the TRAMONTANA. The life extension program will likely include:
– Hull maintenance, repair and preservation.
– Overhaul of main engines, alternators and shafting
– Replace main batteries.
– Software upgrades weapon control system.
– Software upgrades in surfaced search radar and ESM sensors.
– Software updates to sonar suite.
TRAMONTANA will complete its overhaul by 2015 and will be able to remain in service until 2024 although it can be retired earlier if replaced by an S80 before that time.
RUSSIA – Lada Class Submarine SAINT PETERSBURG (B585): In early March 2014, AMI received information that the Russian Navy (RVF) was planning to modify its only operational Lada class submarine, RFS SAINT PETERSBURG. SAINT PETERSBURG is set to receive an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system now under development in Russia. SAINT PETERSBURG will be the test platform for a new class of AIP submarines that will begin in 2018. The new submarines are the Fifth Generation (5G) Diesel Electric Submarines now identified as the Kalina class.
SAINT PETERSBURG will probably enter dry-dock by the end of 2014 in order to meet the 2016 installation schedule as announced by the RVF. Following installation, the AIP-equipped SAINT PETERSBURG will undergo testing for a one-year period prior to AIP production beginning in 2017 in order to have the first AIP unit ready for installation on the first Kalina class submarine
USED SHIP TRANSFER/RECEIPTS/DECOMMISSIONINGS
INDONESIA – Kilo Class (Type 877/636) Diesel Electric Submarines: On 12 March 2014, Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio announced that the sea service would forego any purchase of used Kilo class submarines from Russia. The Admiral stated that due to the poor material condition of the Russian Navy (VMFR) Kilos, the sea service would discontinue any consideration of used Russian submarines in favor of building new construction submarines in Indonesia.
The Admiral is referring to the South Korean Type 209s that will be built in South Korea and Indonesia. Upon completion of the first three units (unit 3 in Indonesia), the TNI-AL intends to build follow on units in Indonesia in order to realize its future Submarine Force.
The announcement follows the January 2014 visit to Russia to discuss the offer. Talks were to include new construction Kilos (probably the Kilo 636.3 variant) and used units of the 877 and 636 variants. AMI also believes that the TNI-AL will forego any procurement of new Kilos as evidenced by the Chief of Naval Staff’s comments concerning indigenous construction of Type 209s. Simply put, new construction submarines from Russia would interfere with Indonesia’s long term plans to become more self sufficient in naval construction.
UNITED STATES – Los Angeles Class Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine (SSN) USS MIAMI (SSN 755): On 28 March 2014, USS MIAMI (SSN 755) was decommissioned at Ports-mouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. In early August 2013, the USN announced that it would decommission the Los Angeles class submarine USS MIAMI (SSN 755) due to a fire on 23 May 2013. MIAMI was expected to be refurbished, however, by early August 2013, the USN decided to forego the US$450M repair and to decommission and scrap the submarine.
From the June 2014 Issue
INTERNATIONAL-Combat, Sensor and Integration System Developments
AMI is currently tracking combat, sensor and integration systems developments. The following are the highlights for the months of May and June 2014:
Northrop Grumman: In May 2014, Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded a contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat to complete the detailed design and subsequent manufacturing, assembly, qualification, and delivery of the first turbine generator units for the Ohio Replacement Program (ORP), the US Navy’s (USN) future nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN-X).
The turbine units will provide all the propulsion and other electrical power for the new SSBN. The SSBN-X will incorporate an all-electric drive engineering plant that is unlike the steam turbine drives that are used in the current SSBN fleet.
The ORP will consist of 12 units that, under current planning, will begin construction in 2021 and commission all units from 2026 through 2041.
Various Did You Know?
UNITED KINGDOM-On 17 May 2014, the Royal Navy’s (RN) third Astute class nuclear powered fast attack submarine (SSN), HMS ARTFUL, was launched at BAE Systems Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow-in Furness.
NAVAL MARKET FORECAST NEWSLETTER ADDENDUM 1SWEDEN – MARKET INTEL HOT NEWS– June 2014 Addendum – SAAB Receives Order for Gotland Submarine Mid-Life Refit and Longer Term A-26 Replacement Submarine
On 09 June 2014, AMI received information that SAAB received orders from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Forsvarets Meterielverk – FMV) regarding construction and production plans for the next generation A26 class submarines and the mid-life refit of the two Gotland-class submarines. The first order for the 2014-2015 time frame is valued at MSEK 467 (US$70M) and represents the beginning of the Gotland refits, now several years behind schedule.
The refits will more than likely begin immediately with the first unit returning to service in 2016 and the second in 2017.
In regards to the A26 Class Submarine Program, SAAB and FMV signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) regarding the Swedish Armed Forces’ underwater capability from 2015 through 2024. This capability refers to the design and construction phase for the A26 submarine worth an estimated SEK 11.2B (US$1.7B). The program currently calls for the acquisition of five hulls with the first beginning as early as 2016.
These agreements in essence shift the Gotland mid-life refit and their A26 new construction replacements from Kockums (now named ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AB and owned by ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions – TKIS) to SAAB as the primary contractor/supplier, a clear sign that Sweden has restructured its submarine and underwater technology industry. TKMS AB, the projected builder (under SAAB contract) of the A26 and the Gotland refits, is currently owned by TKIS of German and will more than likely be purchased by SAAB in the short term with the Swedish Government also actively increasing its share in the company.
MODERNIZATION & SHIP TRANSFER NEWSLETTERISRAEL-Dolphin Class Submarine Leviathan: In May 2014, AMI received information that the Israeli Navy (Heil Hayam Ha Yisraeli (HHHY)) was performing a mid-life upgrade on the Dolphin class Submarine Leviathan under a US$43M contract. The upgrades include:
- Hull, mechanical and electrical (H,M&E) work including overhaul of the three MTU 16V 396 TE84 diesel engines.
- Software upgrades to the Atlas Elektronik ISUS 90-1 combat management system (CMS).
- Software upgrades to the CSU-90, PRS-3 and FAS-3 sonar suite.
- Upgrades to the navigation and communications systems.
- Installation of the Rafael Torbuster anti-torpedo decoy
The overhaul is being conducted at Haifa Shipyards in Israel and expected to last through 2015.
USED SHIP TRANSFERS/RECEIPTS/DEOMMISSIONINGS
BANGLADESH Ming Class (Type 035G) Diesel Electric Submarines: On 06 December 2013, AMI received information that the Bangladesh Navy (BN) ordered two submarines from China, probably of the Ming class (Type 035G). The deal was worth a reported US$203.5M, which includes an overhaul and crew familiarization prior to transfer. The BN will make payments through 2017 with delivery originally scheduled for 2019.
However, in May 2014, AMI received information that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) recently decommissioned two units of the Ming class. A Chinese spokesman indicated that these two units would be transferred to the BN in 2015. Appar-ently the BN moved up the delivery schedule as its neighbor Myanmar is also attempting to develop a Submarine Force. The BN has been training submarine crews on and off in Pakistan and China since 2010.
Previous information received over the past 12 months indi-cated that possibly the Type 039 Song class was being considered. However, the Songs are still in service with the PLAN and would undoubtedly cost well over US$100M per unit. The Ming class, built in the 1970s and now being decommissioned from the PLAN are more of a fit for the BN as it attempts its first foray into the undersea domain.
The procurement of submarines is part of the three dimen-sional naval force consisting of air, surface and subsurface units announced by the Minister of Defense in 2009. The procurement of the Ming class boats is probably also the first step in the development of the BN’s undersea service although it will be many more years before the BN can afford more modern used or new construction submarines.
From the July 2014 Issue
MODERNIZATION & SHIP TRANSFER NEWSLETTERARGENTINA– Santa Cruz (TR1700) Class Submarine Santa Cruz (S41): In late June 2014, AMI received information that the Santa Cruz class submarine SANTA CRUZ (S41) arrived at Argentina’s CINAR State Shipyard to begin its life extension. Work package includes:
- Four diesel engines and electric motor will be replaced.
- Batteries will be replaced.
- Mast will be replaced.
- Hull resurfacing (in drydock).
- Limited software modifications to the combat management system (CMS) and combat systems.
The SANTA CRUZ will be completed by 2017 extending its service life until around 2030. SAN JUAN (S42) completed its refit in 2012.
