Seapower - August 2009

Ukraine Steps Up Frigate Program

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

The Ukrainian Navy (UKN) will be moving ahead with its plans for a new surface combatant in 2010, about two years ahead of its initially reported schedule. Based on this timeline, Nikolaev Shipbuilding Plant could receive a sole-source construction contract from the Ukrainian government by late this year or early 2010.

The new class of ship, identified by the UKN as a corvette, is actually a frigate. According to Vice Adm. Igor Tenjuh, commander in chief of the Navy, the vessel will displace 2,500 to 3,000 tons. The original order will consist of four ships with options for six additional units.

Technical drawings for the new class have been completed and technical design work is under way, with $5.2 million being allocated for the process. This included securing contracts for sensor and weapon systems from potential suppliers. The hull will be of a Ukrainian design and likely powered by two Zorya-Mashproekt gas turbine engines.

A cost per unit of approximately $210 million is anticipated. The new frigate will be equipped with a medium-caliber gun, eight surface-to-surface missiles, a short-range surface-to-air missile system and lightweight antisubmarine torpe-does. It also will be equipped with a hangar and flight deck for one medium-sized helicopter.

The new frigates will replace the three Grisha-class corvettes as well as all three classes of UKN fast-attack craft, consisting of six total units. Provided the new schedule holds, unit one will begin construction in 2010 and be commissioned in 2013. If all options are exercised,

54

the 10 units will be commissioned at a rate of one every 16 months through 2026.

Taiwan OPV Plans
Continue to Slide

Plans for a new class of large offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Republic of China Coast Guard (ROCCG) continue to be delayed. The ROCCG has been planning to build two 3,000-ton OPVs, as well as smaller patrol boats, since 2001. With the first large OPVs now scheduled to enter service by 2017, construction is not likely to start until 2014.

Although considered a priority for the ROCCG, funding has been hard to attain with only smaller 500-ton patrol boats being funded over the long term and all other projects being put on hold. Part of the problem is that the ROCCG currently is part of the Coast Guard Administration and answers to the Ministry of Defense, which has more pressing priorities.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou recently called for the development of a new Ocean Ministry to encompass the Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies. The increase in stature may help the ROCCG in attaining funding for its modernization efforts.

Ma has not proposed a time table for forming the new department, but the government currently is preparing a restructuring of the Executive Yuan that will result in the abolition and merger of several commissions, according the Taiwan News. Following the reorganization, the Ocean Ministry likely would push the 3,000-ton OPV program, which may move up the 2014 start date.

Kuwaiti Navy Orders
Ten MK V Patrol Boats

The Kuwaiti Navy had ordered 10 advanced MK V patrol boats from United States Marine Inc. (USMI), Gulfport, Miss., through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The firm, fixed-price contract is worth $65.1 million and includes the 10 patrol boats and associated equipment and services. The first unit is expected to be delivered to the Kuwaiti Navy by 2011, with all 10 units of the class delivered by 2013.

The construction contract follows the June 2006 U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) presolicitation notice on behalf of the Kuwaiti Navy for the vessels. In the notice, NAVSEA stated that it intended to acquire the boats from USMI on a sole-source basis through the FMS program.

The MK V design is owned by USMI and VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula, Miss. However, VT Halter Marine declined to participate in the program, thus making USMI the sole source.