Lao People’s Navy

In 1975 the Lao People’s Navy (LPN) was established with the remnants of the Royal Lao Navy. Composed of approximately twenty United States-made river patrol boats and sixteen amphibious landing craft, the navy in mid-1994 had a personnel strength of around 500. As with the air force, Vietnamese advisers helped organize the LPN and trained Laotian cadre in river operations and boat maintenance. The force is responsible for maintaining the security of inland waterways, which includes controlling the movement of resistance forces from their sanctuaries in Thailand, across the Mekong River. In the early 1980s, the navy received six used Soviet Shmel patrol boats and at least twelve more river patrol boats, bringing its total inventory to around thirtyone patrol boats. By mid-1994, the navy had a total of fewer than fifty river patrol boats and continued to provide a marginal level of security for inland waterways.

IMHO, “in service” means “not decommissioned” and “not in reserve”. The question is whether “in service” equates to “fully operational” and/or “mission capable”.

According to SIPRI (1) the Netherlands is supposed to installed 2 LW-08 surveillance radars and 4 STIR FC radars on two Naresuan class. But there is no confirmation on whether those systems were ever installed – SIPRI listed the orders in parens () indicating undetermined delivery.

So the question on the MK 41 VLS that is seemingly missing from the pictures is very valid. In fact, now that I’ve looked into it, I don’t think they were installed since the Sea Sparrow for the launchers are supposed to be controlled by the STIR FC from Thales and according to SIPRI, even these systems (ordered in 1994), were not confirmed as being installed yet.

The images posted here clearly show an LW-O8 surveillance radar and one STIR FC installed on the Naresuan class ship. That’s one less STIR than intended (the aft space is used to place a portable satcom antennea while in port) but still, it is almost the complete planned radar fit.

I wonder if small carriers are cost effective for even Spain or Italy, though these are richer nations with larger budgets.
Notes
(1)The Veinticinco De Mayo might be anothr case in point. It was laid up through most of its career and was a no show in the Falklands conflict.

This is not a useful comparison as the Brazilian and Argentinian small carriers were all much pre-owned ships (third-hand) dating back to the end of WWII and so 50 years old and falling apart. The proper comparison would be with the Spanish Principe d’Asturias, the Italian Vittorio Veneto and the British Invincible class.
Both Spain and Italy are now adding a second flattop to their respective fleets. The UK is looking to replace the Invincible class with 2 much larger vessels. Meanwhile, France has built the Charles de Gaulle and is also seeking to get a second large flattop.
You should also note that Brazil found it worthwhile to acquire the Foch from France to replace its WWII vintage flattop: they wouldn’t have done that had they not figured it worth the investment.
India has paid of one WWII vintage small carrier and is soldering on with ex-RN Hermes. However, it will get a much modified Kiev class ship (Gorshkov) and will eventually built its own small flattop (ADS, which can be traced back to french CdG and italian Cavour).

If the Thai find their sea control ship to expensive to operate, perhaps they can sell it to Australia, as an aviation ship to complement some of the LPH type ships planned there.

Interesting to note that the Dutch LCF doesn’t have all of it’s VLS cells fitted yet.

They are supposed to have 5 x 8 cell Mk 41 (for 32 SM2 plus 32 ESSM). They have space and weight reserved for one additional 8 cell MK 41.

Is anyone thinking the same as me? Where the hell are the crew and the marines going to sleep? Or are they going for the American way, nl. 35 guys in one room?

The crew will sleep where they always sleep, the marines will be accommodated as needed on the ro/ro ‘flex deck’ (if that deck isn’t parked full with vehicles and equipment, that is)

Mmm, interesting, could indeed be a modified F25T. Certainly isn’t F22P. The number may be just a yard number.

Attached an article from Jane’s IDR August 04:
Flex fleet: Denmark’s new standard warships emerge

HDMS Absalon, the first of a new generation of surface warships for the Royal Danish Navy, was scheduled to be delivered at the end of July, and construction of the second of five new standard ships is well under way. J. J. Lok examines the build program

Interesting read!

buy chinese.that would make a powerful statment.and about the chinese awac’s.they look liked kind of aperture radar in the nose.a big one.so chinese version probaly can track surface and ground target’s.so 2 plane’s for the price of one’s.

All IL 76 airframes have that bulge near the chin, it’s nothing special