StonewallTransfer Cerimony of the NRP Bartolomeu Dias
StonewallNo delay in acquiring Russian nuke sub:
Indian NavyThe Indian Navy said on Friday there was “no delay” in its acquisition of a Russian nuclear-powered submarine though
technical glitches could push the delivery back. “There is no delay as far as we are concerned (in acquiring an Akulaclass
submarine). I don’t know where these reports have appeared,” Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta told
reporters on the sidelines of a defence function here.
“The only delay is that it has to go for tests after the incident (in which a number of Russian sailors were killed when
poisonous gas was accidentally released during the submarine’s sea trials last November),” Mehta added.
Answering a question on the construction of six Scorpene submarines in India, he replied: “The project is well on
time.” The first of the French-designed submarines is currently being built at Mumbai’s state-owned Mazagaon Docks
Limited (MDL). Source : The Hindu
source
DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 025
StonewallHMS Endurance may be a total write-off
The navy is considering scrapping HMS Endurance because of the damage she sustained in a flood, The News can
reveal. Defence sources believe it will be too costly to repair the Portsmouth-based Antarctic patrol vessel, nicknamed
Red Plum after the distinctive colour of her hull.
And the navy has confirmed that axing the ship is one of several options being put forward. An investigation is under
way into the accident which took place in the South Atlantic, off Chile, on December 17. Civilians had to be evacuated
from the vessel when her engine compartment flooded in the Strait of Magellan, before she was later towed to Chile.She is now berthed in the Falkland Islands. The source told The News: ‘When the engine compartment had been
pumped out they realised how much damage had been done, and so it seems most likely that the navy will look to
write off the ship.’
The navy refused to comment on the scale of the damage, or what the potential cost could be of repairing or replacing
the ship. But when asked if Endurance could be scrapped, a spokesman said: ‘Work has been undertaken to consider
all options. ‘But until the assessment is complete it is simply not helpful to speculate on the way ahead or the extent of
the damage. ‘However, it can be said that the aim is to get the ship back into South Atlantic operations as soon as
possible.’
HMS Endurance is the navy’s sole ice patrol ship and carries out scientific duties for the British Antarctic Survey as well
as being an important naval presence in the South Atlantic. Although the Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Clyde is
in the region, the navy decided last month to divert the frigate HMS Northumberland from Falklands duties to piracy
patrols off Somalia.
In its place is RFA Largs Bay, which is crewed mainly by civilians. Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock, who sits on
the Commons Defence Select Committee, said the government should ‘come clean’ about the future of Endurance.
He added: ‘If they are going to write Endurance off then they need to find a replacement as soon as possible, because
we have had a British presence in the scientific community there for 40 years.
‘The ship is a symbol of sovereignty that we need to maintain.’ The News says HMS Endurance is believed to have
listed dramatically as water gushed into the engine room, sources say. The navy has so far kept tight-lipped over the
incident as its investigation continues.
But The News understands that the clearing of an outlet in the engine room may have played a major part in the
accident. The source said: ‘The understanding is that one of the outlets had become blocked and they had loosened an
access point to get in and fix it.
‘But then when they did get to the blockage it gave way, and that’s when the water started coming in.’ Sailors on
Endurance had to call on their emergency flood training which is taught at a special facility at HMS Excellent on
Whale Island.
The Damage Repair Instructional Unit is a simulator tucked away on the northern end of the island, where students
have to patch holes with pieces of wood as the water level rises quickly. Former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West
praised the training immediately after the accident, saying it was ‘first-rate’. The navy declined to comment on any
details of the ongoing investigation. Source : portsmouth.co.uk
source
DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 020
StonewallRussia Defense Watch: Warship sales soar
The world may be in recession, but the Russian naval shipbuilding industry is still booming. RIA Novosti reported
Tuesday that naval shipbuilding last year accounted for $7 billion of Russia’s record $8.5 billion in arms sales around
the world funneled through the state-owned Rosoboronexport arms export corporation.
“This sum relates to the Rosoboronexport portfolio of orders. This is the maritime share of the portfolio of orders,”
Rostekhnologii First Deputy General Director Alexei Alyoshin told the news agency.
RIA Novosti said Russian arms exports soared in 2008 to $8.5 billion — double the figure of nine years ago. That
allowed Russia to shoot ahead of Britain to become the world’s second-largest arms exporter after the United States.
Rosoboronexport currently has on its books arms exports worth $33 billion, the report said.
Russia currently sells weapons to no less than 80 nations around the world, RIA Novosti said. While sales are slowly
growing in Africa and the Middle East, the main success stories are with the major nations of Asia: India, China,
Vietnam and Indonesia all are buying large quantities of Russian-built warships and submarines.
RIA Novosti noted that India and China have continued to buy Russian submarines, frigates and destroyers. Vietnam
has signed a contract for new Svetlyak-class fast attack boats and frigates, and Indonesia has ordered corvettes from
Russia to be built with the help of Spanish shipbuilding companies.
As we have monitored in these columns, India’s much-touted strategic relationship with the United States during the
eight years of the Bush administration never translated into any significant conventional arms purchases from
American companies. This was especially the case with the Indian navy, which showed no interest in receiving the old
U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk in return for agreeing to buy Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft to operate
from it.
Instead, the Indians patiently renegotiated their troubled contract with Russia to refurbish the old Soviet-era aircraft
carrier Admiral Gorshkov for the Indian navy, even though Russia’s Sevmash shipyard was hundreds of millions of
dollars and years behind schedule on the project. Russia remains reluctant to sell state-of-the-art ground forces
weaponry, transportation systems and tactical close air support weapons to China, a reluctance that has put a serious
strain on Sino-Russian relations in recent years. However, this reluctance has not translated into selling to Beijing
warships, Kilo-class diesel submarines and lethal Mach 2.8 state-of-the-art sea-hugging anti-ship cruise missiles that
could devastate U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Meanwhile, Rosoboronexport officials remain optimistic about their sales prospects, even in the current troubled global
economic climate. They project their foreign weapons exports to soar by no less than 8 percent to 10 percent per year
over the next three to four years, RIA Novosti said. Russia’s arms export successes certainly have not been limited to
naval surface warships and submarines. RIA Novosti also noted that Sukhoi and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG combat aircraft,
air defense systems, helicopters, battle tanks, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles have all proved
popular, highly successful export items. Source : spacewar
source:
DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 019
Stonewallyes, I see your point…unless there is some problem with the RuN ship that is already in Somalia????
on other news:
Russia Indefinitely Puts Off Delivery of Nuke Subs to India
(Source: ddi Indian government news; issued Jan. 21, 2009)
In what could be a major setback for India’s defence preparedness, Russia has ‘indefinitely’ postponed the delivery of “Akula-II’ class Nerpa nuclear submarine, citing that sea trials were still incomplete.
“The pre-delivery trials have been postponed by the Amur Shipyard as it has no trial crew and is running short of cash,” Far Eastern edition of Kommersant daily reported today.
The Amur Shipyard is yet to constitute a new trial team for these class of nuclear submarines after 8th November accident in which 20 members of the trial team were killed during the subs sea trials in Sea of Japan, the paper said.
It said the new team will not be ready before March and would have to undergo up to one year long refresher course before it could be authorized to resume pre-delivery trails.
Under the larger Gorshkov package with Russia, the Indian Navy was to get first of the two Shchuka-B project nuclear submarines on lease last year. But later the Russians revised the delivery schedule to August 2009.
The submarines are being acquired to train the Indian crews for the indigenous submarines being developed under Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.
“Some members of the trial team, which was on the submarine during last year’s accident have died, some are medically unfit, while some others have refused to go to the sea due to psychological reasons,” Gennady Bagin, Director of ‘Vostok’- a unit of the Amur shipyard, was quoted as saying by the daily.
The accident-hit nuclear submarine is berthed at the cash-strapped ‘Vostok’ plant and some work is still underway on it despite the cut in the power quota due to non-payment of power bills.
India and Russia have still to renegotiate the deal for the refitting of the aircraft carrier Gorskov with Moscow demanding double the negotiated price of USD 2.5 billion.
The delivery of the warship is already delayed till 2012 and now it appears that Russians may not be able to meet new deadline for the supply of nuclear submarines too.
-ends-
Stonewallseems to be this?
According to a Russian Navy source, the warship will join the Admiral Vinogradov missile destroyer from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, which is currently on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.
StonewallSplendid little ships, aren’t they?
Yes very nice! 🙂
actually I’m looking for a photo of the F333 already with Portuguese Flag but so far I got no luck 🙁
maybe somebody here can help?
StonewallThe Van Nes was officially transferred to Portugal last friday, 16th January.
She is now named “NRP Bartolomeu Dias”
StonewallBartolomeu Dias joins Portuguese Navy
The Former M-Type Dutch Frigate “HrMs Van Nes (F-833) “ was formerly transferred yesterday to the Portuguese Navy , in a Military Cerimony held in Den Helder NB, The Netherlands.
She was renamed “NRP Bartolomeu Dias” (F-333) , in honour of the Portuguese Sailor that was the 1st to sail across the now Cape of Good Hope, back in the Discoveries Era.
The Bartolomeu Dias will remain in the Netherlands until mid-May, to provide training for the crew of the 2nd Frigate, the HrMs Van Galen, currently in drydock, that is expected to be transferred to the Portuguese Navy next 1st November 2009 , under the name “NRP D. Francisco de Almeida” (F-334) , honouring the first vice-roy of India.
“Bartolomeu Dias” is expected to arrive in Lisbon on the “Navy’s Day”, where it will receive full military honours and will join the Fleet.
from the dutch navy official site(in dutch)
Overdracht Van Nes aan Portugal
16 januari 2009, 14.23 uur
Hr.MS. Van NesHr.Ms. Van Nes is vandaag in Den Helder overgedragen aan Portugal. Het fregat heeft sinds haar indienststelling in 1994 ongeveer een miljoen zeemijlen (ruim 1,8 miljoen km) afgelegd. Onder Portugese vlag vaart ze voort onder de naam ‘Bartolomeu Dias’.
Het afstoten van de fregatten vloeit voort uit een plan om de marine zo aan te passen dat zij beter in staat is Nederlandse crisisoperaties en landoperaties in het buitenland te ondersteunen. Voor dit plan worden onder meer 4 patrouilleschepen aangeschaft. Ook het nieuwe amfibische transportschip Johan de Witt maakt onderdeel uit van de moderniseringslag van de Nederlandse zeestrijdkrachten.
Wapensmokkel
Na de aanslagen van 11 september 2001 patrouilleerde het Nederlandse schip in de Middellandse Zee. Het fregat ging daar wapensmokkel tegen als onderdeel van de internationale strijd tegen terrorisme. In 2003 escorteerde de Van Nes circa 50 schepen door de Straat van Ormoes en Bab al Mandab bij het Arabisch Schiereiland.
Hulp
De Van Nes werd ook ingezet voor hulp aan getroffenen van de aardbeving op West-Sumatra (2000) en na de orkaan ‘Felix’ in Nicaragua (2007). De Van Nes is vernoemd naar de Nederlandse marineofficier Aert Jansse van Nes (1626-1693).
Fregat Van Galen
De jongste matroos draagt de laatste vlag van de Hr. Ms. Van Nes over aan luitenant-generaal Rob ZuiderwijkTraditiegetrouw geeft de jongste matroos de laatste vlag van de Hr.Ms. Van Nes terug aan de Commandant Zeestrijdkrachten luitenant-generaal Rob Zuiderwijk.Portugal neemt dit najaar ook het Nederlandse fregat Van Galen van dezelfde klasse over. Sinds 2005 stootte Nederlands nog 4 M-fregatten af, 2 aan de Belgische en 2 aan de Chileense marine.
StonewallNavy Frigate to Get New Electronic ‘Brain’
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued January 14, 2009)
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose is to get a new electronic ‘brain’ which will help her crew defend the ship against air, surface and underwater threats.
The Type 23 frigate has come into Babcock’s dockyard for the £15m upkeep which will see a major capability upgrade for the ship with the first fitting of the Royal Navy’s newest command system, DNA(2), which is based on the system being fitted to the Royal Navy’s powerful new Type 45 destroyers.
The command system is the ship’s ‘brain’, central to the ship’s fighting capability, providing the officers and crew with vital information from sensors and communications, allowing them to direct weapon engagements above, on and below the sea’s surface.
In addition, BAE Systems will install the Sea Wolf Mid Life Update, ensuring her missile system remains capable of meeting future threats, and she will be fitted with two upgraded small calibre guns. Twelve kilometres of cabling will be laid for the installation of a new IT system, bringing her systems in line with the common MOD network.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said:
“This is a comprehensive upgrade to both Montrose’s operational systems and her self-defence capability and represents a significant investment in the fleet. We work continually with industry to modernise equipment and provide the front line with the capabilities required.”
Defence Equipment and Support’s Director of Surface Combatants, Commodore Graham Peach, said:
“This docking period is an important milestone in our programme to develop a common command system across the fleet, starting with the Type 23 frigates. We have worked closely with the contractor, BAE Systems, to develop DNA(2) and its sister systems which will enable us to provide more efficient support to the fleet, simplify operator training and deliver cost savings in the long term as servicing is required.”
-ends-
StonewallTurkish navy completes exercise with
Russian fleet in Mediterranean
Turkish naval forces completed training exercises with Russia’s northern fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, a Russian
news agency reported on Monday.
For the first time, a part of Russia’s northern fleet conducted training exercises with their Turkish colleagues in the
Mediterranean Sea, Russia Today said. The naval pilots and ground crew were put through rigorous tests where
mistakes are simply not an option.
“Every time we double check everything, because if anything happens at sea there’s no chance of making an
emergency landing like on the ground,” said Major Sergey Nagaichenko, a technician taking part in the drill, told the
Russian news agency.
“Only after everything has been cleared, are pilots given the green light to fly the 11-ton helicopters… They work hand
in hand with their Turkish counterparts conducting simulated search and rescue operations at sea,” the agency said.
In another exercise, in which a Turkish vessel is out of fuel and water, the task of Russian warship Admiral Levchenko
is to respond and assist its stricken colleague, it added.
“The Turkish navy is very strong and has deep traditions. We’ve sharpened our inter-operational ability with them. And
now we are ready to tackle almost any task together,” Russia Today quoted ship commander Sergey Okhrenchuk as
saying.
After the maneuvers the Turkish ships headed home and the group from Russia’s northern fleet continued its voyage,
carrying out its duties in the waters of the Mediterranean, the agency said. Source : hurriyet[/quote]
source:
DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 013
StonewallStill not as bad as “USS Jimmy Carter”.
talking about that…
USS JIMMY CARTER (SSN-23)
StonewallHello all,
Any news about the former M-class frigate (now NRP Bartolomeu Dias F-333) integration to portuguese navy ? Seems to me that the F-333 did some tests a few months ago and even made an appearance at Alfeite Naval Station. So, what is its status by now ? Is she fully operational or is there any troubleshooting to conclude ?
Thanks for any clue 😉
The Bartolomeu Dias is still in Den Helder. She still hoists the Dutch flag.
Official transfer for the PN is scheduled for next 16th January, if no adittional postponements show up :rolleyes:
She will stay in the Netherlands for additional training of the crew of the 2nd frigate until mid-May, according latest info.
StonewallGreece Gives Green Light for Russian Exercises in Aegean
ATHENS, January 2.-
Deck-based aviation of Russia’s heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will hold exercises in the Greek airspace in January, the Greek National Defense General Staff said on Friday. “The exercises will take place on January 3-4 and on January 8-10 southeast of Rhodes Island and on January 11 south of Crete,” the General Staff said. The exercises will be held in international waters but the aircraft will fly in the Athens airspace, the General Staff said. Russia announced in 2007 that its Navy had resumed and would build up a constant presence in different regions of the world’s oceans.This move of Russia motivated the interest of many western embassies in Athens and especially the American. The Russian presence in many places on the international theatre is rising. One of the exercise areas is adjacent to Attalla and east of Tarsus of Syria. An area that Turkey is disputing Cyprus rights of oil drilling. According to government circles, that wished to remain anonymous, the permission for the military exercises is a “Double Message” to Russian and the USA.The time frame of the exercises is on a peculiar coincidence of increased Turkish violations of Greece FIR. According to Russian officials admiral Kuznetsov and the escort ships departed from the navy base at Severomorsk, and have been cruising outside the strip of Gaza, monitoring hostile Israeli Air Force operations. The Russian media include many reports about the exercises in the Aegean and they characterise them as of very “High importance and symbolism”.It is very interesting the probable reactions of the Turkish Air Force in the reserved regions as the may complicate ever more the already tense situation in the Greek Archipelagos of the Aegean.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=148919
Stonewallfirst puke on daddy
pics please????:diablo::D
Happy New Year for Washan and the new baby, and hope Xmas was great!
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