I read about it in Sea Power Magazine where they used the term LPD (2nd article in the link below). There seems to be quite a bit of confusion around these terms though, so you might be right.

http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/aug_04_50.php

I wasn’t aware that the frigate program was cancelled.

It’s a shame because the Israeli Navy slowly came to the obvious conclusion that FACs are not the best way to wage naval warfare in Eastern Mediteranean. And I hear that the Saar 5 has some inherent roll problems due to high center of gravity (that is why Gabriels were never fitted, I think).

I still believe the IN shall wait and see what happens with the USN LCS program and take advantage of the R&D done for this project.

@dionis

I am afraid the Russian Navy is getting away from it’s cold war pretentions on being a blue water navy (using force projection, i.e. Varyag carriers, Kirov BC, etc). Now the emphasis seems to be on littoral operations (defensive bias) although there is always the fleet of strategic subs (what’s left of it).

But I think russian shipbuilders push those corvette designs mainly for export. There is, after all, a growing demand for ships between 500 and 2000 tons from navies all over the world.

I for one would love to see those projects compete with western designs in the international naval market. 😉

For the AK-630 look here and here

Remember Dianekes, these purchases (F1652s and U214s) were made about 5 years ago. How about 5 years from now? Where are the Typhoons for the replacement of the F16s in an Air superiority role (I guess the F16s are going to replace the A7s in the Air to Ground role)? The Turks are planning to upgrade almost ALL of their F16s in the F1652+ version. What are we expecting? To try and turn the scale with a purchase of 150-200 planes in 5 years from now? That is impossible. The past has shown that in order to keep the arms balance between us and the Turks, there has to be a constant strategic planning in our hardware purchases. We had Arsenis for 3 years in the MD and the balance went to hell. Now again with these training accounting magicians I think we have another thing coming….and it won’t be good….
After all, in the aftermath of the parliamentary commision meetings for the TORs and the TPQ radar, the officers are almost afraid to put their signature on a purchase contract (even on a suggestion note)

You are right to be worried. But then again, Turkey is not in best terms, economically speaking. I don’t think the THK F-16s will be upgraded, at least at that scale.

I hope this initial numbness of the new government shall cease in the following months… It is now, after all, easier than ever to turn the scales and once again dominate the Aegean. THK is already making rush (and sometimes irrational) moves to counter that.

Apart from that, ta en oiko mi en dimo, my friend! 😎

Once again the Hellenic Armed Forces came close to achieve a level of equilibrium with the relevant Turkish forces and once again due to political inactivity, we will lose it big time. (No new ships, no new planes, actually not anything was orderd for 2004 and hardly anything will be ordered in 2005, because if ordered it has to be accounted for inside 2005 and there are no money left………..)

Stormeagle, I cannot share your pessimism… The Air Force is rapidbly gaining on the THK and next year the balance of 3rd generation a/c shall be 1,1:1 for THK, but then again we have M2000-5 and F-16 Block 52+ which the Turks don’t have. Not to mention AAW a/c (THK to get them after 2007)

Also the navy shall receive the type 214 subs, which represent an almost strategic, if I might say so, naval weapon for the area.

I agree though that, in a few cases we would act quicker and more decisively (AAW frigates, patrol corvettes, patrol aircraft, etc)

I’ll take a look at the other models in the collection!

OK, and please post any other interesting pictures you might find!
🙂 🙂 (of the 20380 corvette for example… :p)

Yes they do… Picture of Nakat has shown that already. So, it would indeed not be impossible to have the Uran launchers exchanged for Yakhont ones.

Thanks Severodvinsk!

A point I am a bit confused about, is the various designations for the Kashtan system (-1, -M, etc). In the Almaz brochure it says that the Scorpion will be equiped with 2 Kashtans (which is probably impossible anyway). Is there a version of the AK-630 called Kashtan also? Perhaps a version with add-on missiles?

HAve you guys seen the new Mexican Navy Stealth Ships????

I’m trying to find info on them, can you guys help out?

You probably mean the Sierra class OPVs. Here is a link:

Sierra Class

This is my first post in this forum, and I’m very glad being here! 🙂

A question of my own: has anyone any info about the South Korean and Venezuelan (build by Bazan) “stealth” FACs?