argentinetian type 42s

any one got any more colour piccys of the type 42s at NAVAEX 05?

I´ve heard rumours about some chinese fireworks, which are to be launched to celebrate new years eve…

Well, not really. The SAM system fired for the last time almost two decades ago. They should have taken everything down by now, the domes, the launcher and magazine, etc etc. The alledged “upgrade :rolleyes: ” to anphibious support ship only went halfway through.

King Jester

That’s what I thought! Yet, it seems like such a waste in manpower to use a ship of her size with half its firepower? 🙁

I take it that the Sea Dart System is inactive? :rolleyes:

I´ve heard rumours about some chinese fireworks, which are to be launched to celebrate new years eve…

Well, not really. The SAM system fired for the last time almost two decades ago. They should have taken everything down by now, the domes, the launcher and magazine, etc etc. The alledged “upgrade :rolleyes: ” to anphibious support ship only went halfway through.

King Jester

A recent picture of B-52 (ex D-2) Hercules during NAVAEX 05.

The Sea Dart launcher is still onboard, but the rear Type 999 (906 ? what was the number again? ) dome is gone. Nice view of the new hangar, and the dimensions of her flight pad (in comparison to the SH-3 (AS-61 ?).

King Jester

PD: Note the rather crude way the new ship number was applied. The paint on the “5” is not the same shade of white nor the same type as the “2”. Geez, I´m almostr ashamed of how much this ship was misstreated during her service time by the ARA.

I take it that the Sea Dart System is inactive? :rolleyes:

A recent picture of B-52 (ex D-2) Hercules during NAVAEX 05.

The Sea Dart launcher is still onboard, but the rear Type 999 (906 ? what was the number again? ) dome is gone. Nice view of the new hangar, and the dimensions of her flight pad (in comparison to the SH-3 (AS-61 ?).

King Jester

PD: Note the rather crude way the new ship number was applied. The paint on the “5” is not the same shade of white nor the same type as the “2”. Geez, I´m almostr ashamed of how much this ship was misstreated during her service time by the ARA.

ARA SantisimaTrinidad is the only Type 42 that Argentina is still operating.
In the last decade there where several planes to mothbalt it but Argentina finaly decided to transform it into what they call now an Fast Multirole Transpoter.
Also they decided to remove the Sea Dart system finaly, after it had been not used after more then a decade. Ironicly, shortly after the Sea Dart was removed, GB removed the weapons export ban they had against Argentina.

As already stated, the ship in service is ARA Hercules (formerly D-2, recoded B-52). ARA Santisima Trinidad (D-1) is unserviceable since the late 80´s. In fact, she is a suffered ship, already being badly damaged while still under construction in drydocks by a bomb set off by guerrillas in the 70´s.

BTW: The ARA Santisima Trinidad was not used actifly in the Falklandwar (neather was the rest of the fleet after the ARA Belgrano got sunk). Also Argentina had 2 or 3 Lynx in the Service of there Navy

Both ARA Type 42´s were used prior and during the Falklands/Malvinas war. Both ships took part in Operación Rosario (argie landings) and later on escorting the carrier group and patrolling the argie coast. I posted a summary of their movements during the war about a year ago on ACIG, will try to retrieve it if possible.

ARA Santisima Trinidad indeed almost lost a screw in May 1982, as the “rooster foot” of the shaft broke off (probably as a resilient injury from the 1970´s bomb blast). She went to drydock briefly and was back on duty before the end of the war.

The fate of the Sea Linx´s was already cleared by Ja Worsley.

About Jane´s report by which both ships would be returned to active duty as AAW units, that is very very very unlikely.

Santisima Trinidad is an empty hull, and was already offered unofficially to the township of Bahia Blanca to be made a floating museum, casino and restaurant.

Hercules has been cut and welded back together in quite rude and crude way, and few if any at all of its weapon systems are functional. Exocets were disembarked, Sea Dart hasn´t fired in almost two decades *, Type 999 radars have been dismounted, and the 4,5″ gun is so-so. The ugly and boxi new hangar for 2 SH-3´s is useless in rough seas, as the ship has no assisted helo landing system (RAST, or similar). The hull is cramped and has not enough nor wide enough hatches or acceses to allow for its new intended role of amphibious assault support (in theory she can carry 150 marines). More so, the purchase of ex-MN Orage has made such a ship completly unnecessary.

* the Sea Dart launcher is still mounted, just for the looks of it.

The best option the ARA had was to sell or transfer or give away both ships to a friendly navy (not affected by brit embargo, Brazil comes to mind) in the 80´s. So at least they would have had a decent service life, under a new flag.

With the saved money an extra pair of Meko-360´s could have been aquired (brit embargo on the engines and many other components, too), or at least the locally build Meko-140´s could have been put into service a decade earlier.

King Jester

Well all I know is what is reported in Jane’s guys and they have said that both are to return to sea. As the report said, the RN are now selling the spares to Argentina since they are deemed old news and no longer a threat.

Some of the older Type 42’s will be retiring soon anyway as the RN cuts back it’s fleet for much needed funds in their new projects (Astute, CVF, Type 45)

With a box launcher yes…….a VLS would of course require extensive modification. Which, I doubt many would want to consider? On the otherhand the Sea Dart is a medium range surface to air missile much like the American Standard SM-1/2. So, the question is would any Navy want a large Destroyer without that capability??? Remember the T-42’s are large and complex ships………

Well, the AN is able to keep the slightly lighter but similar sized Meko360s up an running, so from that point of view it would be smart to strive for greater parts and weapons/systems commonality. Propulsion in both ship types is similar so main issue would seem to be weapons & radar systems. IMHO, 5-6 fully functional large GP frigates would seem preferable to 4 such ships plus 1-2 “expeditionary detroyers” without operational Sea Dart systems. Heck, even installing a russian Shtil SRL in place of Sea Dart and radar refit would be better than the current use. Used Mk13 launcher and SM1/2 could also work. An AAW ship w/o AAW is useless.

Hercules (HMS Sheffield class/Type 42) expeditionary destroyer
Displacement: 4,100 tons full load
Dimensions: 125 x 14.6 x 5.2 meters (410 x 48 x 17 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 RM-1A cruise gas turbines, 8,200 shp; 2 TM-3B boost gas turbines, 54,400 shp,

Almirante Brown class (MEKO 360H2 type) frigates
Displacement: 3,360 tons full load
Dimensions: 125.9 x 15 x 5.8 meters (413 x 49 x 19 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 RM-1C cruise gas turbines, 10,200 shp; 2 TM-3B boost gas turbines, 51,600 shp;

Would it be feasible to replace the Sea Dart system with an Aspide system (with reloads) as found on the Meko 360s. Other replacements/modifications that would bring the AN Type 42s closer to their 360s

With a box launcher yes…….a VLS would of course require extensive modification. Which, I doubt many would want to consider? On the otherhand the Sea Dart is a medium range surface to air missile much like the American Standard SM-1/2. So, the question is would any Navy want a large Destroyer without that capability??? Remember the T-42’s are large and complex ships………

Would it be feasible to replace the Sea Dart system with an Aspide system (with reloads) as found on the Meko 360s. Other replacements/modifications that would bring the AN Type 42s closer to their 360s

What are the chances of pre-owned Type-42 becoming available in the near future, either directly to AN or to other navies (who might subsequently be able to provide AN with parts)

I would say good……as the T-45’s come on line. That said, much will depend on. If the UK still supports the Sea Dart Surface to Air Missile System?

wanshan y would wny one want an argie type 42 there older than the ours (royal navy) and theres only on ein service the other one is used for spares

He meant the RN vessels as they get retired. I reckon the batch 3s would still be a decent buy. Then again B&V might have something they can offer for the MEKO 360s.

Daniel

wanshan y would wny one want an argie type 42 there older than the ours (royal navy) and theres only on ein service the other one is used for spares

Well, I do see the AN getting a better AWD Destroyer anytime soon. So, upgrading and returning both Type-42’s would make sense………… :rolleyes:

What are the chances of pre-owned Type-42 becoming available in the near future, either directly to AN or to other navies (who might subsequently be able to provide AN with parts)

Well, I do see the AN getting a better AWD Destroyer anytime soon. So, upgrading and returning both Type-42’s would make sense………… :rolleyes:

Try Here,
They only got 1 – Hercules and from what I hear she is in pretty bad shape Shes not a regular warship any more probably due to the fact that the UK wont support her. Used mainly for transport

They are probably using one as a source of spare parts for the other, and Sea Dart likely not operational in either. Hence the use as transport.

I doubt it very much that the Hercules is getting back into active service. Not becouse it can’t be done, but becouse she has been rosting in reserve for some time now & Argentinas Defence budget is not in its best time (Just to mention that the adquisition of new fighters for the AF has just been delaied again).

Also the type 42 are very cost & between the oldest units in Argentinian service.

Well I don’t know about you guys but I recently heard in Jane’s that Both Type 42’s are getting refitted and returing to full active service. The UK has finally decided to sell parts to Argentina (viewing the sale as old and antiquated equipment by modern standards). Thus both Hercules and Santisima Trinidad will be back in service by 2008 for a minimum of 15 years.

As for the Lynx, yes they did have two, both (type 23’s) were sold as part of the weapons systems of the ships. One crashed killing the crew the other was later sold to Denmark becoming S-035. Here’s a link to a pic I found and posted on the board here: Argentine Lynx.

BTW: The ARA Santisima Trinidad was not used actifly in the Falklandwar (neather was the rest of the fleet after the ARA Belgrano got sunk). Also Argentina had 2 or 3 Lynx in the Service of there Navy

ARA SantisimaTrinidad is the only Type 42 that Argentina is still operating.
In the last decade there where several planes to mothbalt it but Argentina finaly decided to transform it into what they call now an Fast Multirole Transpoter.
Also they decided to remove the Sea Dart system finaly, after it had been not used after more then a decade. Ironicly, shortly after the Sea Dart was removed, GB removed the weapons export ban they had against Argentina.