Les marines du Pacifique

Scorpene tangled in govt web

An air of resignation hangs over the East Yard, a giant workshop shed in Mumbai’s Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL), where six Scorpene submarines are to be fabricated for the Indian Navy. Two years ago, when Business Standard visited this facility, it hummed with activity as welders assembled the hull of the first Scorpene, which was to join the Indian Navy in 2012.

Since then, rumours of delay, by as much as two years, have swirled around Project 75, under which the Scorpenes have been acquired. Business Standard has learnt that work on the first Scorpene has ground to a halt, and it is unlikely to be ready before 2015.

Most disquietingly, the delay is due to a contracting blunder, stemming from the Ministry of Defence’s propagation of a myth that significant parts of the submarine were being built with Indian components.

This led the defence ministry to create a special category called Mazagaon Procured Materials, or MPM. Of the total project cost of Rs 18,798 crore, Rs 2,700 crore (¤400 million) were set aside for MDL to contract directly for submarine materials. But the impression created, by giving MDL a budget for locally procuring materials and systems from multiple vendors, was false. The bulk of MPM budget, as the defence ministry knew, would go straight to a single vendor — French company Armaris, with whom India signed the Scorpene contract. This would pay for critical submarine systems, including the engine, the generators and special submarine steels.

There was no question of competitive bidding for these items.

Since they affected crucial aspects of Scorpene’s performance, such as noise levels, they had to be bought from the original vendor, Armaris, for performance guarantees to be valid.

It is not clear why the defence ministry left these crucial Scorpene systems unpriced. What is clear is that French company DCNS, which took over Armaris in 2007, is now demanding close to Rs 4,700 crore (¤700 million) for these items, almost twice of what was budgeted.

Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju told Business Standard that DCNS based its higher demand on cost inflation since the contract was signed in October 2005. The MoD asked the French government to intercede with DCNS, but Paris is unwilling to help.

“We expect the French government to play a role to ensure it (the MPM items) is not priced abnormally high. We understand their need to make profit, but the price should not be abnormally high. We feel the French government is shirking its responsibility,” said Raju.

The MoD pleaded its case with a number of French officials, but in vain. “I visited Paris (in June 09) and I had a meeting with DCNS. They assured us they would hold our hand, but we are not getting that comfort level. I projected [the case] to the French defence minister as well. [In November] We had a senior French MoD bureaucrat… come [to Delhi] and I reflected it to him as well,” said Raju.

The MoD blamed DCNS’ takeover of Armaris for further complicating the negotiations. But that does not answer why a contract that took nine years to finalise failed to fix the price for materials worth Rs 2,700 crore.

Senior naval officers familiar with the negotiations said, “The inclusion of so many crucial systems in the MPM package — systems that everyone knew had to be bought from Armaris/DCNS — was a grave contracting mistake. This was done to give the impression of greater indigenisation… since these would apparently be items that MDL was procuring. But this scheme has backfired badly.”

Naval planners are struggling to deal with a situation where the induction of Scorpene submarines remains a long way off. Only after the MoD and DCNS agree on a price that production would begin in France of the engines, generators and other systems that are included in MPM category. Technicians working on Project 75 estimate that, once a price is fixed and a contract signed, it will be 33-36 months before the items are delivered to MDL and fitted on the first Scorpene. Thereafter, the painstaking process of outfitting the rest of the vessel, fitting weapons and sensors and carrying out lengthy trials would begin before handing over the submarine to the Navy.

But work at East Yard has not entirely stopped. Having completed the first hull, MDL is going ahead with fabricating the second and the third. Officials involved in Project 75 say this will allow submarines to be delivered at nine-month intervals, rather than the planned 12 months.

Until MPM contract is signed, and the systems delivered, MDL’s East Yard will not be producing submarines, but 200-foot metal tubes for a project that began two decades ago, and gradually became a symbol of ineffective defence planning.

Japanese MoD seeks $1.3bn for new helicopter carrier

The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has proposed the construction of two 19,500-ton 'helicopter-capable destroyers' that would become the largest ships in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The new helicopter carriers, known as 22 DDH (2010 being the 22nd year of the reign of Japan's Emperor Akihito), will possess a 248 m-long flight deck, significantly longer than the 197 m deck on the two recently built Hyuga-class helicopter carriers (which displace 18,000 tons).

According to the MoD, each of the larger vessels will be able to accommodate nine helicopters and will be fitted with two close-in weapon systems and two Sea RAM missile systems for air defence. The anti-submarine warfare armament will include a mobile decoy and floating acoustic jammer.

Australia tests the water for its largest-ever defence procurement challenge

Australia's next generation of submarines will not enter service until the mid-2020s, but already a sense of urgency is apparent in the early planning stages for SEA 1000, which is destined to be the country's largest-ever single defence project.

Only seven years separate the anticipated start of construction in 2016 from the May 2009 Defence White Paper announcement that the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) fleet of six Collins-class submarines will be replaced by 12 future submarines with greater range, endurance and capability.

Doubling the submarine fleet is necessary to sustain a force at sea large enough in a crisis or conflict "to be able to defend our approaches (including at considerable distance from Australia, if necessary), protect and support other ADF [Australian Defence Force] assets, and undertake certain strategic missions where the stealth and operating characteristics of highly capable advanced submarines would be crucial", the White Paper stated.

A larger submarine force, the paper pointed out, would significantly increase the military planning challenges faced by any adversaries, increasing the size and capabilities of the force they would have to commit to attack, coerce or intimidate Australia.

To this end, the boats must be able to undertake prolonged covert patrols over the full distance of Australia's strategic approaches and in operational areas, and would require low signatures across all spectrums, including at higher speeds, it added.

Given Australia's strategic geography and the distances involved, the ideal future submarine for the RAN would, in many ways, be a nuclear attack boat (SSN), but the nuclear option has been categorically ruled out because of political sensitivity and the lack of appropriate industry and regulatory infrastructure.

pilou a écrit

Japanese MoD seeks $1.3bn for new helicopter carrier

The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has proposed the construction of two 19,500-ton 'helicopter-capable destroyers' that would become the largest ships in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The new helicopter carriers, known as 22 DDH (2010 being the 22nd year of the reign of Japan's Emperor Akihito), will possess a 248 m-long flight deck, significantly longer than the 197 m deck on the two recently built Hyuga-class helicopter carriers (which displace 18,000 tons).

According to the MoD, each of the larger vessels will be able to accommodate nine helicopters and will be fitted with two close-in weapon systems and two Sea RAM missile systems for air defence. The anti-submarine warfare armament will include a mobile decoy and floating acoustic jammer.

pour ceux qui préfèrent la langue de Molière

Et si on leur proposait nos BPC ?

A mon avis, la conception et la fabrication seront totalement locale.
L'industrie Navale Japonaise n'a sans doute pas grand chose à apprendre de l'extérieur.

China to take naval forces to another level over next decade

An assessment of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Navy) – PLA(N) – inadvertently released by the US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) suggests that China will build over the next 10-15 years a naval force increasingly equipped for maritime security missions and humanitarian relief operations well beyond its traditional operating areas around Taiwan and the South China Sea.

At the same time, ONI assesses that the PLA(N) will continue to modernise its warfighting capabilities to shape a balanced maritime force commensurate with a shift from a strategy of coastal defence to a more forward-leaning naval strategy of offshore defence.

The report, entitled 'A Modern Navy with Chinese Characteristics' and dated August 2009, was briefly placed on an open source website by the ONI in November 2009 before being withdrawn from public view. However, in that time a copy of the document was downloaded by the Federation of American Scientists and remains accessible on its website.

According to the ONI, the development of the PLA(N) over the past decade goes well beyond the introduction of new equipment. Its report states: "Recognising that it takes more than technology to create a capable navy, China has also actively pursued the modernisation of its doctrine, organisation, and training with the ultimate goal of developing a professional force. While much work remains, trends in recent years indicate the PLA(N) is beginning to 'operationalise' its modern force, taking on new and more challenging missions."

Taiwan plans to buy US frigates despite China thaw

2010/01/11

TAIPEI: Taiwan plans to buy eight second-hand Perry-class frigates from the United States despite improved ties with its once-bitter foe China, a local newspaper reported Monday.

The island hopes to arm them with a version of the advanced Aegis Combat System, which uses computers and radar to take out multiple targets, as well as sophisticated missile launch technology, the Taipei-based China Times said.

The defence ministry said in a reaction to the report that ageing frigates now serving the navy needed to be phased out, but that it had not yet decided on the type of vessels that would replace them.

“The overall strategy of the armed forces will be taken into consideration as the defence ministry evaluates the plan,” it said in a statement, adding that the budget would be another factor to be weighed.

The United States designed the Perry-class frigates in the 1970s but the majority remain in service, equipped with various forms of modern technology.

The deal would add to Taiwan’s existing inventory, as it already has eight Perry-class frigates built on the island.

The China Times report came less than a week after the US Defense Department said it had approved the sale of Patriot missile equipment to Taiwan as part of a package passed by Congress more than a year ago.

When unveiled in 2008, the package triggered strong protests from Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to take the island back, by force if necessary.
Got a great travel photo? Can it win this photo contest?

The United States is the leading arms supplier to self-ruled Taiwan, even though it switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly since China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou came to power in 2008, promising to boost trade ties and allowing in more Chinese tourists. – AFP

Vendront? Vendront pas ?

http://www.corlobe.tk/article17869.html

La flotte sous-marine australienne est actuellement réduite à un seul sous-marin opérationnel, soulevant de sérieux doutes sur l’avenir à long-terme des 6 sous-marins de la classe Collins.

Le chef de la marine australienne, Russ Crane, a confirmé lundi une panne de générateur survenue la semaine dernière à bord du HMAS Farncomb. Le sous-marin devra entrer en cale sèche pour des réparations urgentes.

Selon l’opposition, le nombre de sous-marins opérationnels est désormais d’un seul, le HMAS Rankin, et le gouvernement fait face à une crise majeure de maintenance.

La situation commence à être vraiment critique pour la marine australienne, semble-t-il

d9pouces a écrit

La situation commence à être vraiment critique pour la marine australienne, semble-t-il

apparement ils ont en pris conscience

Vizira a écrit

d9pouces a écrit

La situation commence à être vraiment critique pour la marine australienne, semble-t-il

apparement ils ont en pris conscience

http://www.corlobe.tk/article4447.html

La flotte sous-marine Australienne est en crise, les commandants sont forcés de réduire le nombre de jours de mer parce qu’il n’y a pas assez de membres d’équipage.

Et ils veulent 12 ou 13 soums

12-nation naval wargame from February 4

La Chine va vendre plusieurs frégates ( Jane's parle de quatre unités ) Type 054 ( désignation OTAN : Jiangkai 1 ) au Pakistan. En gros, il s'agit de frégates légères de classe La Fayette, avec un drapeau chinois et quelques missiles en plus. Les deux unités semblant partager un très grand nombre de composants.

Voir ici

Fiche Wiki, pour donner un aperçu de la bête

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/us-to-sell-taiwan-two-frigates-report-20100805-11jwr.html

Vente à Taïwant de deux frégates de classe Perry, qui sont sur le point d´être retirées de l´US Navy. Ce sont les chinois qui vont être contents.

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Chinaneeds_carrier-killer_missile/Article/

La Chine a besoin d´un missile "tueur de porte-avions".

Tiens ? On se demande pourquoi.

Je me demande comment les États-Unis prennent la nouvelle… même si on s'en doutait depuis longtemps, c'est une nouvelle façon d'officialiser la rivalité…